Foundation of Prosperity: A small but rich state gifted with abundance of natural wealth, biodiversity, scenic beauty, breathtaking landscapes and rivers stands at the threshold of prosperity, based on the foundation of its hard-working people, and political leadership. Coming into existence in the year 1948, the state started its development journey from scratch. The pace of development remained slow in the first two decades, but development gained momentum after attaining statehood on 25th January, 1971.
Dawn of a New Era: On 27th December, 2017, BJP assumed power backed by a popular mandate of the people, who voted for the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Thus, began a new era of development in the state. The government added many dimensions to development during this period, and reaffirmed a resolve of inclusive growth and upliftment of all sections.
In the first meeting of the Cabinet, the age-limit for getting social security pension was reduced from 80 years to 70 years and the criterion of income limit was abolished. As a result, more than 2.85 lakh people above 70 years of age became eligible for monthly pension of Rs 1,500. Along with it, social security pension of widows and specially-abled has been increased to Rs. 1000 per month. By now, as many as 1,63,607 new cases of various social security pensions have been approved.
Priority to Public Participation: The state government has given priority to public participation in development to bring governance closer to the people. ‘Jan Manch’— a first-of-its-kind public grievance redressal programme was started. Since June 3, 2018, a total of 200 Jan Manch have been organised in all the assembly constituencies wherein 49,000 complaints and demands were received, of which 90 percent have been resolved on the spot. But, after the outbreak of COVID-19, Jan Manch could be organised only on November 8, 2020 at 11 districts in which 846 complaints and demands were received. Most of these have been resolved.
A ‘My Gov’ portal has also been launched with the objective of quick resolution of public grievances and to get public feedback regarding the policies and programmes of the government. The general public is openly giving suggestions, which helps the government in policy formulation.
Better health facilities: An ambitious scheme named ‘Himcare’ has been started in the state. A record 5.50 lakh families have got themselves registered under the scheme. More than one lakh people have availed treatment facility, on which Rs 118 crore has been spent.
Sahara Yojana has also been started to provide financial assistance to the poor people suffering from critical diseases. Financial assistance of Rs. 2,000 per month is being provided to eligible patients. A financial assistance of Rs 9.75 crore has been provided to more than 10,000 beneficiaries so far. The financial assistance has now been increased to Rs. 3000 per month.
Under Himachal Grihini Suvidha Yojana, 2.84 lakh women have been provided free LPG connections. Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to achieve such an achievement.
Mukhymantri Swavalamban Yojana has inspired the youth of the state to adopt self-employment. Twenty five per cent subsidy is being provided to the youth while women entrepreneurs are getting a higher 30 per cent subsidy. A total of 936 units have also been set up with a subsidy of Rs. 47.78 crore. The youth, as a result, are now becoming employers instead of employment-seekers in the state. All the centrally-sponsored schemes are being implemented efficiently in the state.
COVID-19 Challenge: This year the whole world is facing a new challenge of COVID-19. Due to the timely and effective steps taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deal with the situation arising due to the corona pandemic, the lives of citizens of the country have been protected. Major relief has been provided by the Central government by announcing a Rs. 20 lakh crore economic package under the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan providing financial assistance to the poor, farmers, vendors, MSME sector, migrant labour and other weaker sections of society.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, the poor families of the country have availed free ration till November 2020, direct financial assistance of Rs. 500 per month in the 5.90 lakh accounts of women under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan, three cylinders free of cost to the 1.36 lakh beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala scheme and Rs. 2,000 per month to 8.74 lakh farmers under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. All medical staff, sanitation workers and health workers were covered with life insurance of Rs. 50 lakh under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana.
A financial assistance of Rs. 2,000 per month has been provided to the 1 lakh registered under HP Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board with total expenditure of Rs. 40 crore. The state government has provided Rs. 1,000 per month to Asha workers from March to June 2020. An increased amount of Rs. 2,000 per month has been provided in the month of July and August.
To track cases of COVID-19 in the state, an Active Case Finding Campaign was launched with the support of health workers. This campaign was praised throughout the country. Meanwhile, e-Sanjeevani portal has been started in the country as well as in the state. It is a matter of pleasure that our efforts for e-Sanjeevani portal has got third place in the country.
‘Him Suraksha Abhiyan’ was started on November 24 to sensitise the people regarding the pandemic and to collect real-time information regarding TB, leprosy, sugar, blood pressure etc. by month-long door-to-door campaign. At least 8,000 teams comprising staff of Health, Ayurveda, Women and Child Development, Panchayati Raj Departments, district administration and NGOs have been involved to ensure proper data collection of the health parameters of the people.
A new scheme ‘Jeevan Dhara’ has also been started for providing a complete range of healthcare services for the population living in remote, inaccessible, unserved and underserved areas through mobile vans which are equipped with basic facilities such as diagnostic, testing facilities for various ailments.
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PM Narendra Modi has launched a public movement to promote wearing of masks, maintaining social distance and regular hand washing for protection against COVID-19. The people of the state are followig these practices strictly for their own safety and also others and marching ahead with the government on the developmental path of the state.
