SHIMLA:  Apart from announcing “more freebies for BPL and APL families, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur announced the first instalment of arrears of pay-revision to employees and pensioners of state government  worth Rs 1000 Crore due since January 1, 2016.

He also announced the revised pay- scales to 4000 employees working under Zila Parishad Cadre in Panchayati Raj Department.

In a hope to harvest political gains ahead of the state assembly election, Jai Ram Thakur made these announcements at the state level 76th Independence Day celebration function at Sarahan in Sirmaur in the presence of "retinue" of state officials including Chief Secretary RD Dhiman and DGP Sanjay Kundu and BJP leaders and MLAs including Suresh Kashyap and others,

What has added to  patriotic fervour of people this time was that they also participated in the three days long Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign.

Independence day functions were also held at HP High Court, at all district, sub-division, tehsil level in all the 12 districts of the state.

Chief Justice of High Court  Mr AA Sayed took the salute of guard of Honour  and hoisted Tiranga in the premises of the High Court in  the presence of all the judges and lawyers and officials.   

All the political parties including Congress, CPIM and AAP also celebrated independence Day at their headquaters.   

Chief Minister hoisted the national flag and took salute from the contingents of State Police, Home Guards, NCC and NSS at Sarahan in Sirmaur district during the Independence Parad commanded by DSP Pranav Chauhan.

Addressing the rain-drenched gathering at Sarahan,  Jai Ram Thakur said the government would provide a benefit of Rs. 1000 crore through the revised pay-scales that would benefit about 2.25 lakh employees and 1.90 lakh pensioners of the state.

All in all, state employees and pensioners have got a benefit of Rs. 3500 crore due to the revision of pay- scales and pension, he added. But he did not give any time frame for release of first instalment.  

Jai Ram Thakur announced Panchayat Chowkidars who were providing 12 years continuous services would be made daily wagers.

Chief Minister doubled the subsidy on edible oil from Rs. 5 to Rs. 10 to APL (OTNFSA) families and from Rs. 10 to Rs. 20 per litre to BPL (NFSA) families.

To benefit the farmers of lower and mid areas of the state, the Government would appeal in the Supreme Court to exclude 'khair' from 10 years felling programme, he said.

He also paid his tributes to the freedom fighters as it was the result of the tireless efforts of brave freedom fighters that India attained independence.

He said that under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the nation was celebrating the Har Ghar Tringa  at a time when Himachal is also celebrating  75 years  of its formation by organizing 75 events in the state.

Thakur recalled that the literacy rate has gone up from 4.8 per cent when Himachal was formed to 83 percent, road length of  288 kms has increased to 39,500 kms.

Himachal had just 301 educational institutions that have increased to 16,124 today, making it a role model of development in the mountains.

Thakur counted his various schemes, Jan Manch that resolved  most of 55, 249 complaints, Mukhyamantri Seva Sankalp Helpline-1100 resolved about 4.14 lakh complaints and issues.

He said under the Mukhyamantri Grihini Suvidha Yojana, free gas connections were provided to 3.34 lakh families by spending Rs. 131 crore.

He said people not covered under Ayushman Bharat were covered under HIMCARE. Under these schemes, Rs.472.88 crore has been spent on the treatment of 4.57 lakh people of the state.  

Rs. 80 crore has been released to more than 20,000 beneficiaries for medical treatment, he added.

Talking about development, Thakur  said  about  4,377 units with an investment of Rs. 721 crore have been set up for which the state government has given a subsidy of Rs. 200 crore.

'Global Investors' Meet' has grounded Industrial projects worth about Rs. 42,000 crore, he added.  

Jai Ram Thakur said the Prakritik Kheti Khushal Kisan Yojana has been adopted by 1.71 lakh farmers and the government has spent Rs. 58.46 crore on this scheme.

He said the wages of unskilled daily wagers have been increased from Rs. 210 to Rs.350.

Talking about the double engine government under leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Thakur said Centre sanctioned projects worth Rs. 10,000 crores, disbursed economic package of Rs. 800 crores to the state. 

Taking cognizance of Five Vows declared by  Prime Minister in his Independence Day address to Nation from Red Fort, Thakur urged people take five vows to make India strong and vibrant.

He launched Mobile Ambulances Health Clinic on the occasion.

The Chief Minister also honoured Prem Kumar of Karsog area of Mandi district, Virender Singh of Nauharadhar of Sirmaur district, Dr. Ajay Pathak Chief Medical Officer Sirmaur, Parade commander Pranav Chauhan and others for their exemplary works on the occasion.