Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla   laid out the  map of the Sukhu government's first anniversary of "Vyavastha Parivartan" in fifth session of the fourteenth Vidhan Sabha  today.

 Delivering his Budget speech in the Vidhan Sabha today Governor laid focus on combating climate change, the government aims to make Himachal Pradesh the country's first green energy state by 2026.

Initiatives include promoting electric vehicles, expanding solar energy projects, and implementing the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Scheme. Additionally, the state has been selected for Phase-II of the Climate Adaptation and Finance in Rural India project.

Furthermore, the government extended the Old Pension Scheme to over one lakh employees for their welfare. These efforts underscore Himachal Pradesh's commitment to sustainable development and environmental conservation.

Himachal Pradesh Government Unveils Major Welfare and Disaster Relief Initiatives

 Himachal Pradesh government has launched the Indira Gandhi Mahila Samman Nidhi Yojana, providing financial assistance to over 2 lakh 43 thousand women, including eligible pensioners, with a monthly allowance of Rs. 1,500 each. This initiative reflects the government's commitment to social welfare.

Under the social security pension scheme, a total provision of Rs. 1256 crore 43 lakh has been allocated for 7 lakh 83 thousand 719 beneficiaries, with 41 thousand 799 new beneficiaries added this fiscal year. Mandatory conditions have been simplified, and incentives for widow remarriage have been increased significantly.

The government introduced the Mukhya Mantri Vidhwa Evam Ekal Nari Awas Yojna, offering a grant of Rs. 1 lakh 50 thousand for eligible widows and single women to construct new houses.

Addressing the welfare of orphan children, the government initiated the Mukhya Mantri Sukh Ashray Yojana, providing comprehensive care and support, including financial assistance for higher education, skill development, and marriage grants. A dedicated fund of Rs. 101 crore has been established for this purpose, with Rs. 25 crore allocated for an Integrated Sukh Ashray Complex in Jwalamukhi.

Furthermore, the government reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling all promises made to the people, despite financial constraints, through multidimensional changes to boost the state's economy.

In the wake of unprecedented natural disasters, including recent devastating rains, the government allocated Rs. 1741 crore 17 lakh for relief and rehabilitation efforts. Notably, relief amounts provided exceed central government norms, with increased compensation for damaged houses and essential supplies provided to affected families.

Efforts to evacuate 75 thousand stranded tourists were successfully executed, earning praise nationally and internationally.

Amidst these challenges, the government continues to accelerate state development, with a focus on citizen convenience and effective scheme implementation.

Moreover, the government has prioritized healthcare accessibility, establishing 69 Adarsh Swasthya Sansthans across all assembly constituencies, providing specialist medical facilities closer to communities.

In a bid to enhance healthcare accessibility, the Himachal Pradesh government has established 3 to 5-bedded birth waiting homes in selected health centers, ensuring convenience for pregnant women in remote areas. Additionally, major healthcare infrastructure upgrades include the installation of a new 128-slice CT Scan machine and digital X-ray in Shimla's Indira Gandhi Medical College, along with a LINAC machine for cancer patients in Mandi's Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College.

Furthermore, the government has initiated open-heart surgeries at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College in Kangra and allocated funds for a Center of Excellence for Cancer Care at Dr. Radhakrishnan College of Medical Sciences in Hamirpur.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the state inaugurated its first genome sequencing laboratory at Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College, bolstering its preparedness for future epidemics.

Moreover, the state has been recognized as the Best Implementing State in the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program for three consecutive years, with over 800 Gram Panchayats declared TB-free.

In efforts to promote tourism, the government is investing Rs. 3,000 crore in developing Kangra district as a tourism hub and constructing five new heliports across the state.

Transport infrastructure improvements include the addition of 210 new buses, implementation of Pratham Darshan Seva to enhance transport services to religious places, and the opening of vehicle registration numbers to the public, generating revenue of Rs. 11 crore 40 lakh through e-auctions.

Additionally, the government is progressing with railway development projects, including the Bhanupali-Bilaspur and Chandigarh-Baddi railway lines, aiming for completion by 2027 and December 2025, respectively.

In the energy sector, the state has established the HP Energy Management Center to ensure quality electricity supply and maximize revenue, with revenue expected to reach approximately Rs. 1700 crore by the end of the financial year.

Despite challenges such as natural disasters, the government remains committed to infrastructure development, with ongoing efforts to restore the Larji Power House Project and advance the Renukaji Dam Project, allocated Rs. 207 crore 23 lakh in the current fiscal year.

Himachal Pradesh government has rolled out a series of initiatives aimed at bolstering agriculture, horticulture, and livestock sectors in the state.

Underlining the importance of agriculture as the backbone of the state's economy, the government has prioritized the sector with various measures. These include doubling the sum insured for farmers under crop insurance schemes, expanding natural farming methods, and constructing irrigation schemes to enhance water availability for farming.

Moreover, efforts to diversify horticulture have been evident, with an additional area of two thousand 110 hectares brought under horticultural diversification.

New crops like litchi, pomegranate, and guava have been included in the crop insurance scheme, and the marketing of apples and other fruits has been streamlined based on weight.

The government's focus on enhancing dairy and fisheries sectors is evident through schemes like the Him Ganga Scheme, aimed at developing a milk-based economy, and projects worth Rs. 29 crore 92 lakh 18 thousand approved by the Government of India for fisheries development.

Additionally, the state government is actively promoting new fishing methods and has released over one crore 60 lakh fish fingerlings into reservoirs and rivers to increase fish population and benefit fishermen.

Moreover, the government is working towards strengthening cooperative societies, with over 5 thousand 156 cooperative societies operating across the state.

Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), employment has been provided to more than 5 lakh 50 thousand families, with a focus on increasing wages and achieving cleanliness in rural areas.

Furthermore, in response to the natural disaster faced by the state last year, the government has sanctioned 10 thousand 23 houses for poor people under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

In a bid to boost rural infrastructure and governance, the Himachal Pradesh government has announced a slew of measures focusing on various sectors including agriculture, forestry, urban development, education, and tourism.

To strengthen rural local bodies, the government has allocated funds for the construction and up-gradation of Panchayat Ghars, along with increasing the honorarium of elected representatives. Moreover, the Van Mitra Scheme has been launched to promote community-driven forest management.

In urban areas, initiatives like the online property tax system and the Him-Parivar Register aim to enhance efficiency and transparency. Additionally, measures to streamline infrastructure inside buildings and reorganize planning areas have been implemented.

The government is also focusing on housing, skill development, and employment generation, with schemes like HIMUDA allotting houses and plots, and providing allowances and training under various skill development programs.

In the education sector, reforms aligning with the National Education Policy, 2020, have been initiated, including the establishment of model day-boarding schools and the introduction of new subjects in technical institutes.

Furthermore, efforts to promote tourism and preserve cultural heritage are evident through schemes like the Sugam Darshan Scheme for temple visits and the conservation of historical sites and temples.

The  efforts are being made to strengthen rural infrastructure and governance.

This includes increasing ex-gratia grants for war martyrs and implementing various welfare schemes for ex-servicemen and their families.

Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes are a priority, with substantial funds allocated for their development. Additionally, proposals for programs like the Vibrant Village Programme have been sent to the central government.

In terms of food security, the government has distributed substantial amounts of wheat and rice to consumers, along with pulses, oil, salt, and sugar under the State Subsidy Scheme.

Agricultural initiatives include the establishment of new markets for minimum support price purchases and the recruitment of constables to enhance police presence in the state.

Efforts to combat drug addiction, streamline digital governance, and improve recruitment processes have also been highlighted.

The government's focus remains on ensuring equal development and welfare for all sections of society, with a vision to make Himachal Pradesh economically self-reliant and prosperous in the coming years.