Himachal: Sukhu announces hike in DA for govt employees
TCN Service/Kaza
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced release of three percent Dearness Allowance (DA) for all the employees and pensioners, thus raising it from existing 31 percent to 34 percent on Saturday.
The decision would benefit around 2.15 lakh employees and 1.90 Lakh pensioners, putting an additional burden of about Rs 500 crore on the state’s exchequer.
This was the first time in the history of the state that the Himachal Day function was held in the remote tribal region of Kaza, the ‘Land of Lamas’, bordering China, at a height of around 12000 feet.
He also announced a pension of Rs 1500 to all the 9000 women of Spiti above 18 years of age from June 2023 in the second phase, a college and to make 50 bedded Community Health Centre (CHC) in Kaza operational.
The Chief Minister said that the government would take up the issue of developing an airstrip at Rangrik in Spiti Valley with the Defence Ministry. Besides, being important from a strategic point of view this will also help in boosting tourism activities.
The land has been identified for setting up Rajiv Gandhi Day-Boarding School at Shego near Kaza, which would prove to be a significant development in the education sector, he said.
The Chief Minister said that the government aims to make the state self-reliant and strengthen its economy through new initiatives.
The state has set a target to become a green energy state by March 2026 and the government has entered into an agreement for the Green Hydrogen and Ammonia Project, which will create over 3500 employment opportunities and attract an investment of over Rs 4,000 crore.
The state has declared 6 green corridors, providing facilities for electric vehicles. Private operators purchasing electric buses, trucks, taxis, autos and e-goods carriers would be given 50 percent subsidy in order to promote the use of electric vehicles, said Sukhu.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is focusing on the development of tourism. Since, Kangra is being developed as the “Tourism Capital” of the state, and the construction of the airport in Kangra is vital for expanding tourism. In addition, heliports were being built and expanded to connect all district headquarters by air connectivity throughout the year.
The state intends to establish a Rajiv Gandhi Government Model Day-Boarding School in each assembly constituency, which will be outfitted with cutting-edge technology and equipment.
The Chief Minister said that the government is also committed to ensuring that no meritorious poor child is deprived of higher education due to a lack of money.
To meet this, Rs 200 crore Rajiv Gandhi Higher Education Promotion Scheme has been launched, which would provide loans at one percent interest rate to the students pursuing professional courses like engineering, medicine, MBA, Ph.D, and others.
Sukhu said that the government has launched the Him Unnati Yojana to promote the overall development of the agriculture sector. The MGNREGA wage for tribal areas has been increased from Rs 266 to Rs 294.
The Chief Minister also dedicated three ambulances for the Spiti valley and planted a sapling in Cricket ground Kaza. He also inspected the development exhibitions set up by various departments.
A colourful cultural program was organised and the CM also distributed prizes to cultural program participants and employees of Lahaul Spiti district for their outstanding contribution in service.
