SHIMLA: Spelling out his “Budget vision and main thrust of 97 schemes launched during his regime" at the virtual ‘Jan Samvad programme here today, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said the 2022-23 Budget makes the need-based modifications in the ongoing schemes, proposes increase in the outlays of many schemes for an all-round and inclusive development of Himachal Pradesh.
Jai Ram Thakur said it was for the first time that a Chief Minister was interacting directly with the masses after presenting the annual budget of the state. The main aim of the state Government’s policies and programmes during the last four years was to ensure the socio-economic upliftment of the poor and the downtrodden living at the lowest rung of society, he said.
He reiterated the very first decision of the present state Government was aimed at welfare of the old people and another at ensuring proper shelter to the abandoned cattle. “Rs. 500 is being provided per month per cattle in Cow Sanctuaries and Gau Sadans, has been increased to Rs. 700 per month per cow in the budget 2022-23”, he said.
Chief Minister however lamented that corona pandemic adversely impacted the two years of the government. Despite all odds the state succeeded in tackling this crisis with the active co-operation and support from Centre and the people of the state, he said.
He said a budget of Rs. 51,365 crore was presented by him on 4th of this month, which aims at welfare of every section of society and development of every area of the state. The previous State Government during its last five years tenure raised loan of over Rs. 28,000 crore, but despite the pandemic the loans raised by the state Government were much less”, he said, but he did not give the exact figure.
Jai Ram Thakur said he reduced age limit for old age pension to 60 years irrespective of income and they would get Rs.1,000 per month, Rs.1,500 ( earlier Rs 1000) per month, Rs.1,700 (earlier 1500) per month. He said that women in the age group 60 to 65 years would also be entitled to old age pension without any income limit. He said that 7.50 lakh beneficiaries would now benefit from Old Age Pension Schemes worth Rs 1,300 crore. He said that Gender Budget Statement have been presented for the 1st time along with other budget documents.
Chief Minister said monthly honorarium of Anganwadi workers, Anganwadi Assistant and Asha worker have been increased considerably. He said that honorarium of sewing teachers, mid-day meal workers, Water Carrier (Education Department), Jal Rakshak, Multi Purpose Workers, Para fitters and Pump Operators have also been increased considerably. He said that now the Anganwari Workers would get Rs. 9,000, Mini Anganwari Workers Rs. 6,000, Anganwari Sahayikas Rs. 4,600, Asha Workers Rs. 4,700, Silai Teachers Rs.7,850, Mid Day Meal Workers Rs. 3,400, Water Carriers (Education Department) Rs. 3,800, Water Guards Rs. 4,400, Multi Purpose Workers of Jal Shakti Vibhag Rs. 3,800, Para Fitters and Pump Operators Rs. 5,400 per month honorarium.
He said that daily wages of daily wagers have been increased by Rs. 50 per day and now they would get Rs. 350 per day. He said that every outsourced worker would now also get minimum of Rs. 10,500 per month. In addition to this, the honorarium of representatives of Urban Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions has also been increased considerably, he added.
Jai Ram Thakur said that one additional free LPG cylinder would be given under Grihini Suvidha Yojana and Ujjwala by spending an additional amount of Rs. 50 crore on it. He said that registration for HIMCARE would now be done throughout the year and it would be now renewable after three years. He said that there were only two oxygen plants in the State, but today there were 48 PSA oxygen plants in the State.
Chief Minister said that the State Government has decided that “Zero Billing” would be done for consumption of electricity up to 60 units benefitting about 4.50 lakh consumers. He said that cheaper electricity would also be provided at the subsidized rate of Rs.1 per unit which would benefit over 7 lakh consumers consuming between 61 to 125 units. The electricity rate would be 30 paise per unit for farmers, he added.
Additional Chief Secretary Finance Prabodh Saxena said that 97 new schemes have been launched during the last four years by the present State Government in its last five budgets. 
MP and State BJP President Suresh Kashyap, Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, Organization Secretary State BJP Pawan Rana, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister Trilok Jamwal, General Secretary Child Welfare Council Payal Vaidya, Mayor Shimla Municipal Corporation Satya Kondal, Chairman HIMFED Ganesh Dutt, Chief Secretary Ram Subhag Singh, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subhasish Panda, Principal Secretary GAD Bharat Khera, Secretary Finance Akshay Sood, Director Information and Public Relations Harbans Singh Brascon were present on the occasion at Shimla whereas all the Ministers, MLAs, BJP leaders and general public joined the event virtually from their respective places.
