Workers Welfare Board provide benefits worth Rs 27 Crore

Over 90,000 workers have been registered under the H.P. Buildings and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board during last three years and benefits to the tune of Rs. 27 crore had been provided to them. This was disclosed by Industries, Labour and Employment Minister Mukesh Agnihotri while presiding over the 29th meeting of H.P. Buildings and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Mukesh Agnihotri said that the Board was committed towards welfare of working class employed in un-organized sectors. He said that the previous Government had given benefits of Rs. 17 lakh only during five years of its tenure. He said that Board should adopt pro-active approach to ensure maximum coverage of workers under the Board so that they could derive benefits of welfare schemes launched by it. He also asked for collecting cess in an effective manner to increase revenue of the Board. He said that regular meetings of the Board should be held for better functioning and sustainable working of it.

Agnihotri said that efforts should be made to register maximum number of MNREGA workers as presently there were only 15,000 MNREGA workers registered with the Board. He said that wide publicity of schemes initiated by Board should be undertaken and registration of establishments such as power and housing projects engaging construction workers be done regularly. He said that the Board should make its presence felt by regularly holding meetings and conferences at State and District levels.

He said that all the functional posts of the Board would be filled on priority and vehicle would be provided for better functioning of it. He stressed for better coordination between Board and Labour & Employment Department for bringing in efficiency in its working.

Labour and Employment Minister said that work on transit hostels at Nalagarh and Skill Development Training Institute at Una should be expedited. He said that work on Workers Transit Hostel at Dulhar in Una district has been completed and would be inaugurated soon by the Chief Minister. He said that suitable land would be identified for construction of headquarter of the Board and thereafter district offices would be constructed in a phased manner.

Chairman, H.P. Buildings and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board Bawa Hardeep Singh while welcoming the Chief Guest detailed various activities being undertaken by the Board for welfare of the working class.

Secretary-cum-Chief Executive Officer, H.P. Buildings and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board Surender K. Kaushal conducted the proceedings of the meeting.

Director Industries and Labour Commissioner Amit Kashyap Officials and non-official members of the Board, senior officers of State Government also attended the meeting.

State Government to co- contribute 50 percent in Atal Pension Yojana

A Spokesman of the Finance Department said here today that the State Government had adopted ‘Atal Pension Yojana’ by giving its own co-contribution to individual subscribers so that workers of un-organized sector could take benefit of this Scheme. He said that the State government had also taken important measures to ensure maximum coverage of the scheme to economically weak segments of society, besides unorganized sector workers like MGNREGA workers, farmers, agricultural and horticultural labourers, shop workers, anganwari workers and mid-day meal workers etc.

The State Government would co-contribute 50 percent of the total contribution by a subscriber or Rs. 1000 per annum for a period of three years, he added.  He said that the State Government would make co-contribution in the accounts of only those farmers, workers etc. who have enrolled under the scheme and were contributing the due amount in their pension accounts. He said that in case the subscriber discontinues the payment of contribution and his account was closed, the amount of government co-contribution would be refunded back to the State Government account.

He said that persons having age of 18 to 40 years,  not covered under any other social security scheme of Central Government/State Government, not paying income tax  and working in un-organized sector and have opened their bank Accounts in Himachal Pradesh could avail the benefit of this Yojana.

The Spokesman urged the people to open their Pension Accounts under the scheme in order to avail the State Government co-contribution benefit. He said that the subscribers could avail pension facility on attaining the age of 60 years.

TD rights restored for the welfare of the people

Forest Minister Mr. Thakur Singh Bharmouri said that the State Government has provided relief to the people of the State by restoring their TD rights after eight years. He said that it would give facility to the eligible people for getting timber for domestic use such as house construction, cow shed construction and repair of old houses. He said that timber would be distributed to the head of the family as per panchayat record.

Mr. Bharmouri said that if right holder was having the land at more than one place then he would be provided timber at both places but the cost of trees at second place would be doubled. According to previous rules there was a provision of providing timber only at one place, he added. Forest Minister said that the timber for constructing new house would be given after 15 years; whereas earlier the provision was to provide the timber after 30 years. He said that for repair of house, the timber would be provided after five years. Earlier it was 15 years. TD right of the right holders would be under their cooperation and participation in the forest conservation, he added. He said that if the right holder commits any forest crime then his TD right would be suspended for next 16 years.

Welfare of OBCs top priority of the State Government: Chief Minister

Chief Minister Mr. Virbhadra Singh said that Government had increased the income limit of creamy layer to Rs.6 lakhs per annum from Rs.4.50 Lakhs with a view to provide benefits to the maximum people of OBC. He was presiding over the meeting of Himachal Pradesh Other Backward Classes (OBC) Welfare Board at Parayas Bhawan, Dharamshala today.

CM said that as per report of census of 2001, OBC population was 9,27,542 which was 15.27 percent of the total population of the State. He said that in order to provide proper representation to OBCs in Government jobs, reservation of 12 percent for Class-I and II category and 18 percent reservation for Class-III and IV has been provided. He said that State Government had taken up the matter to include more sub castes in the OBC schedule with Government of India in February, 2006 adding that Central Government has included Tarkhan, Badhai, Ramgarhi, Dhiman (Excluding Lohar), Vishwkarma, Pumba, Hadi and Saini in the schedule while other’s were being considered by Central Backward Category Commission. Chief Minister said that State Government has taken a decision to provide three Biswa of land in rural areas and two Biswa in urban areas for construction of house to all the landless/ houseless families in the state.

Mr. Virbhadra Singh said that equal development of all categories was being ensured for overall and balanced development of the State and various initiatives have been taken to ensure speedy development of all categories especially weaker sections of the society. He said that the State had achieved many milestones and rapid development had been ensured during last one year.

Mr. Virbhadra Singh directed the district administration to construct link road leading to cremation site of Labana community in Galma panchayat of Mandi district. He also directed concerned authorities to repair road leading to Labana community temple at Tanda in Lohara panchyat in Mandi district. He stressed the need of planting fruit bearing species in the forest to provide food to the monkeys and to avoid conflict between humans and wild animals besides checking monkey menace. Chief Minister said that directions have been issued to prepare project report for the chanalization of Batta river in Sirmour district. He also directed PWD to prepare feasibility report for constructing a bridge over Batta river to link Fatehpur with Gulabnagar.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. Dhani Ram Shandil while welcoming the Chief Minister said that State Government has started various schemes for the upliftment and welfare of OBC’s. He said that with a view to provide employment opportunities to the people of these communities various training courses had been conducted in the State. He said that the number of OBC beneficiaries students under various schemes has been increased to 2500 students from 500 during current financial year. Dr. Shandil said that Himachal Pradesh Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation had been setup at Kangra and vocational training was being provided to the OBCs by this corporation adding that loans upto Rs. five lakh were being provided on low interest rates for self employment ventures. Besides interest free loans upto 50000/- rupees were also being provided for higher education and professional courses. He said that students of this community were also being provided scholarships. Dr Shandil said that 2,92,921 old age, handicapped, widows and destitute and single women were being provided social security pension of Rs. 500/- per month and Rs.1000/- was being given to the people above 80 years. He said that Rs. 200 crores would be spent on providing pension in the State during current financial year. Various matters of development pertaining to road construction, water and irrigation, electricity, filling of vacant post of OBC’s and increase the percentage of reservation to OBC’s were discussed at length in the meeting.

Forest Minister Mr. Thakur Singh Bharmouri, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Mr. Jagjivan Pal and Mr. Neeraj Bharti, Former Minister Mr. Chander Kumar, Former MLA Mr. Surender Kaku, Acting Chief Secretary Mr. P Mitra, Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, HOD’s, Senior Officers and official and Non-Official members of the board were present in the meeting. Additional Chief Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment Mr. P.C. Kapoor conducted the proceedings.

Himachal hikes aid to freedom fighters, dependents

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh announced substantial hike in honorarium of widows and unmarried daughters of freedom fighters from Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 per month.

He also announced increase in grant-in-aid for marriage of daughters of freedom fighters from Rs 10,000 to Rs 51,000 and granddaughters from Rs 10,000 to Rs 21,000. The amount for last rites was increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively for the freedom fighters and their wives.

Presiding over the conference of state Freedom Fighters at Bilaspur, he said Congress had always looked after the interests of the freedom fighters and their families.

He said wives and unmarried daughters of 813 freedom fighters were being provided honorarium which included 96 living freedom fighters.

He accused the previous BJP government for ignoring freedom fighters.

The state had enhanced the 'honorarium' of freedom fighters from Rs 7,500 to Rs 10,000 per month from September 1, 2013.

Their dependents were allowed two per cent reservation in the government jobs while provision had been made for reserving one seat in MBBS, Dental and Ayurvedic colleges.

Lauding the people of Bilaspur town for their contribution to the nation's development, he said the old town was submerged due to construction of Bhakra Dam and many families were uprooted.

The Congress government had taken effective steps for rehabilitation of affected families and most of them had been provided plots while remaining families would be rehabilitated in next two-theree years.

He said that state governemnt had already announced plans to regularise encroachments by such families in the town.

The state would also regularise the houses constructed by the Balmiki community and also provide plots to houseless families, he said.

1548 youth benefited under SDA Scheme

The Skill Development Allowance Scheme is gaining popularity among the youth of the State. Within a short period of four months skill development allowance amounting to Rs. 17,28,500 has been disbursed to 1548 beneficiaries who are enrolled in different types of skill development training.

A spokesperson of the Labour and Employment said here today that various steps had been taken to publicize the Scheme by way of radio jingles being broadcasted through Radio and F.M. Channels, flex banners, hoardings, posters and through SMS to youth etc.

In order to improve the employability of the educated unemployed youth of the State and to help them upgrade their skills and capacities, the Government of Himachal Pradesh has notified the Skill Development Allowance Scheme, 2013. This Scheme was originally announced in the Budget Speech for this financial year by Chief Minister, in the month of March, 2013. The Scheme was made broader based by reducing minimum age eligibility to 18 years and minimum education eligibility to10th pass and registration as on the date of the application instead of two years registration in Employment Exchange.

Chief Minister gives Financial Assistance to Nursing Student

Chief Minister, Shri Virbhadra Singh has given financial assistance of Rs. 81,000 from Chief Ministers Relief Fund to Ms. Mamta to enable her to continue with her studies of Nursing Course.

Ms. Mamta, daughter of Smt. Pawna Devi belongs to Sihdu Village in Nagrota-Bagwan constituency of Kangra district.

Chief Minister released this amount after taking note of a news item published recently.

The check of this amount has been sent to Sub Divisional Magistrate (Civil) Kangra.

Skill Development Allowance Scheme 2013

A. Introduction:

“The Scheme of granting Skill Development Allowance to the unemployment youth has been detailed in the Budget Speech of Hon’ble Chief Minister for the Financial Year 2013-14 which aims at providing allowance to educated unemployed persons for their Skill upgradation.

B. Objective:
a) This scheme intends to provide allowance to eligible educated unemployed Himachali youth for their skill upgradation.
b) This in turn will enable such youth to develop their skill which in turn will enable them to take up employment or self-employment in the Sector of their choice, since this scheme empowers the youth to choose the Sector in which they would like to develop their skill, at the training institute of their choice.

C. Details of the Scheme:
1. Short title & commencement: 
a) This scheme may be called “The Himachal Pradesh Payment of Skill Development Allowance to Educated Unemployed Persons Scheme, 2013”.
b) This scheme will be implemented with effect from the date of issuance of the notification.
c) The allowance shall be payable to eligible persons in the age group of 18-35 years.

2. Definitions:
In this scheme, unless the context otherwise requires:
a) ‘Skill Development Course’ means any Course which aims at enhancing the skill & employability of the applicant.
b) ‘Allowance’ means Skill Development Allowance as defined in this scheme.
c) ‘Department’ means the Department of Employment, Himachal Pradesh.
d) ‘Director’ means the Director of Employment, Himachal Pradesh and includes any person to whom any or all the powers of Director may have been delegated by the Government.
e) ‘Educated unemployed applicant’ means a person who is minimum 10th Pass from a Board recognized by the Govt. of Himachal Pradesh, who is on the Live Register of the Employment Exchange of the State of Himachal Pradesh as on the date of application and who applies under this Scheme for the grant of Skill Development Allowance, who has attained the age of 18 years but has not attained the age of 36 years on the date of such application and who remains on the Live Register.
f) ‘Employment Exchange’ means any Employment Exchange set up by the Himachal Pradesh Government.
g) ‘Family’ in relation to an educated unemployed applicant shall mean the natural family consisting of parents, spouse, brothers and unmarried/widow sisters.
h) ‘Form’ means a form appended to this Scheme.
i) ‘Government’ means the Government of Himachal Pradesh in the Administrative Department.
j) ‘Income’ means family income.
k) ‘Live Register’ means the valid employment index cards of those persons who are registered in the Employment Exchanges of the State of Himachal Pradesh.
l) ‘10th means a candidate who has passed the 10th examination or any examination held equivalent thereto, by Govt. of H.P.
m) ‘Officer incharge of the Employment Exchange’ will include an Officer/Official to whom the powers of the officer incharge of the Employment Exchange under this Scheme may have been delegated by the Department.
n) ‘Year’ means the Financial Year starting on First April and ending on Thirty-First March of the following Year.
o) ‘State’ means the State of Himachal Pradesh.

3. Persons eligible:
Subject to the provisions of this Scheme, all educated unemployed applicants shall be eligible for the grant of Skill Development Allowance, who fulfill the following criteria:
a) She/He should be unemployed (ie neither employed in Govt sector nor in private sector nor self employed) and should be a Bonafide Himachali.
b) She/He should have passed minimum 10th from any Board/University/Institution recognized by H.P. Govt.
c) She/He should be registered with any Employment Exchange in Himachal Pradesh as on the date of application.
d) Her/His annual family income for the Financial Year immediately preceding date of application, from all sources including that of spouse should be less than Rs. 2.00 Lakh (Rs. Two Lakhs).
e) She/He should be above 18 years and below 36 years of age, as on the date of application.
f) She/He should not be receiving any social/retirement/other pension from Government. In case she/he is receiving other pension etc, she/he will have the option of opting for either that pension or this Allowance.
g) She/He should not be self-employed.
h) The employment under MGNREGA will not be counted as employment.
i) She/He should not be a dismissed Govt. employee.
j) She/He should not be convicted of any offence resulting in imprisonment for a period of 48 hours or more.
k) She/he should be enrolled in a skill development course.

4. Persons not eligible:
The following categories of persons shall not be eligible to receive Skill Development Allowance under this Scheme:
a) State/Central Government employees and also those of the Public Sector Undertakings, Local Bodies and Quasi-Government Institutions who have been dismissed from service or are in receipt of pension from such employers and persons who have been imprisoned for 48 hours or more.
b) A person who had any income of his own or whose family income from all sources was Rs. 2.00 lakh (Rs. Two Lakh) or more during the year immediately preceding the date of application and also the period for which Skill Development Allowance is claimed.
c) A person who is not a Bonafide Himachali.
d) A person who has not attained the age of 18 years and who has attained the age of 36 years.
e) Any person who does not fulfill any of the criteria given in Section 3.

5. Rate of Skill Development Allowance:
Allowance shall be payable to each educated unemployed applicant for a maximum period of two years; subject to fulfilling eligibility criteria & timely submission of attested copies of matriculation marks sheet/certificate to ascertain age and educational qualification and Affidavit as per form ‘C’, at the following rates:
a) For Physically Challenged person who have minimum 50% permanent disability recorded in her/his Employment Exchange record (X-I), @ Rs. 1500/- (Rs. One Thousand Five Hundred) per month.
b) For all other categories of Persons @ Rs. 1000/- (Rs. One Thousand) per month.

6. Application for the allowance:
a) An educated unemployed applicant may make an application on his/her being eligible for the grant of Allowance alongwith documents mentioned in form ‘A’ to the Officer incharge of the Employment Exchange, where she/he is registered.
b) A duly completed application form may be sent by post or delivered personally at the Employment Exchange against a receipt.
c) After the initial filing of claim in the prescribed form ‘A’, every claimant to the Allowance shall be required to submit Affidavit, in the subsequent month of March to the Employment Exchange where his/her name is registered.

7. Processing of applications: 
a) The Employment Exchange will thoroughly scrutinize applications received under Section 7 and decide with regard to the admissibility of the Allowance to the applicant, within 45 days and in case the claim is inadmissible, suitable orders shall be issued under intimation to the applicant. – as per form ‘D’
b) If applicant is aggrieved by any decision intimated to her/him under sub-rule (a), she/he may file an appeal to the Director whose decision thereon shall be final.

8. Power to sanction Allowance: 
The power to sanction Allowance shall vest in the Officer incharge of the concerned Regional/District Employment Exchange, who will also act as the Drawing and Disbursing Officer for the purpose of this Scheme.
a) Stoppage or recovery of the Allowance:- The authority empowered to sanction the Allowance may:
(i) Stop the payment of the Allowance to any recipient, if the said Allowance is no more payable due to any change in the circumstances in which the same was sanctioned;
(ii) Withdraw or withhold the payment of Allowance if at any stage, it is discovered that the Allowance was not admissible in the first instance and it was sanctioned by mistake or on false information or in disregard of any condition subject to which it could be sanctioned.
The amount of Allowance already paid may also be recovered without prejudice to any action, whether civil or criminal to which the recipient may be liable.
b) In the event of the death of the recipient the Allowance shall cease to be payable and if the recipient dies before receiving any payment, the amount not so disbursed, shall lapse to the Government.

9. Restoration of the Allowance:
The concerned Regional/District Employment Officer may restore the payment of Allowance to the original recipient if the payment of the Allowance was discontinued due to the removal of her/his name from the Live Register but her/his employment index card is brought on the Live Register of the Employment Exchange without loss of seniority, as per Departmental
instructions.

10. Remittance of Allowance:
The Allowance shall be credited to the recipient by RTGS/NEFT/ECS through Banks as mentioned in Application Form, on monthly basis at the cost of the Government.

11. Accounting procedure:
The following provisions shall regulate the accounting procedure in respect of the Allowance payable under this Scheme:
(a) On receipt of a fresh application in form ‘A’ it shall be recorded in a receipt register (Form ‘E’) maintained specially for the purpose in each Employment Exchange. Each applicant shall be issued a receipt in form ‘B’ by the Employment Exchange indicating there in the receipt number of the application for all future correspondence.
(b) The Allowance shall become payable for the period commencing from the month of application (if eligible) till March of that Financial Year and thereafter on production of fresh Affidavit in March of that Year or till the applicant becomes ineligible, whichever is earlier.
(c) The Drawing and Disbursing Officer shall sign the RTGS/NEFT/ECS form and initial the entries in the office cash book.

12. Allowance not enforceable through court of law: 
The Allowance under this Scheme shall not be enforceable through the Court of Law.

13. Supervision: 
The Director shall have the power of supervision and control in respect of the Allowance payable under this Scheme and may from time to time issue directions for the smooth functioning of this Scheme.

14. Power to amend the Scheme:
The power to amend this Scheme shall vest in the Government.

15. Displaying of Beneficiaries Detail: 
The details of the beneficiaries may be displayed on the Notice Board of the Employment Exchanges, on the Department’s website and at any other suitable place, for the information of public at large.

For more: http://himachal.gov.in/Employment/pdf/SkillDevpAllow_A1b.pdf

Chief Minister launches Rajiv Gandhi Ann Yojana in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh has become the fifth State of the Country to launch Rajiv Gandhi Ann Yojana under National Food Security Act-2013. Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh today launched ambitious Food Security Scheme by handing over ration bags to 104 year old Shri Mast Ram and 70 year old Smt. Vidya Devi of Sunni area in Shimla district, during an impressive function organized here at the Ridge. 

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Virbhadra Singh said that food security was a historic scheme of the Government of India envisaged by UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh which would ensure that nobody remained hungry any more in the country. He said that food, employment and housing were the basic needs of the common man and Congress lead UPA government had done revolutionary work by fulfilling their all three requirements. He said that every family was being provided 100 days employment under MNREGA.

Chief Minister said that under Rajiv Gandhi Ann Yojana, 37 lakh people would get three kgs of wheat at Rs. 2 per kg and two kgs of rice at Rs. 3 per kg per month per person while Anntodya families would continued to get 20 kgs of wheat and 15 kgs of rice per month as per past practice. All the families identified under ‘Anntodya Ann Yojna’ in Gram Sabha meetings held on 7 April, 2013 would be brought under the ambit of ‘Rajiv Gandhi Ann Yojna’. Apart from it all families being covered under BPL, social security pensioners and Ann Purna Ann Yojna would also be covered it. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh said that it had been brought to his notice that few well-off persons had also been included in BPL list in certain Gram Panchayats of the State. He said that the elected representatives of Gram Panchayats should be fare to their duties and do justice to the poor and needy and should not resort to nepotism. He said that a special Gram Panchayat meeting would be convened in the State and two Government Observers would supervise the proceedings of each Gram Sabha to ensure that ineligible were deleted and eligible poor were included in the list. The State Government would ensure that only eligible persons get the benefits of various Government Schemes like Rajiv Gandhi Ann Yojna and housing schemes for poor. 

Chief Minister said that Indira Awas Yojna and Rajiv Awas Yojna were being implemented in the State to provide houses to the poor houseless people. The State Congress Government had enhanced the grant to Rs. 75,000 from Rs. 48,500 under the scheme and 10,000 families would be covered under it during this year. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh said that with a view to secure the future of educated unemployed youth, State Government had started Skill Development Allowance Scheme-2013. Under the scheme the matriculated youth aged between 18-35 years would be provided skill development allowance of Rs. 1000 while disabled youth would be getting Rs. 1500 per month. 

He said that providing ration at subsidized rates had always remained the priority of his Government and Food Subsidy Scheme was launched during his last tenure in the year 2007, under which every ration card holder was provided three pulses two edible oils and iodized salt. He said that consumers were being provided Moong Dal at Rs. 49.99, Kabli Channa at Rs. 35.99 and Udad Dal at the rate of Rs. 34.99 per kilogram. Likewise, edible oil was being provided at Rs. 49.99 and salt at Rs. 4 per kilogram to all families in the State. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh said that State Government was bearing all financial expenses of subsidized food from its own resources. The State Government had made a budgetary provision of Rs. 175 crores for this scheme during current fiscal.

Speaking on the occasion, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Shri G.S. Bali said that Rajiv Gandhi Ann Yojana was being launched in the memory of former Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi which was another ambitious scheme of the UPA Government after RTI, MNREGA and RTE. He said that Congress Party was determined to launch this scheme in the country and UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi remained present in the parliament until Food Security Act got clearance despite her illness. He said that over 70 percent beneficiaries had been identified under the scheme while rest would be covered soon. 

Shri Bali said under the scheme the ration card would be issued in the name of eldest woman member of the family whereas ration card would be issued in the name of male head of the family where the female member was less than 18 years of age. State Government was keen towards this scheme and vigilance committees had been constituted at fair price shops, block, district and state levels. He said that presently 16 lakh 99 thousand ration card holders were getting the subsidized ration including APL, BPL, Antodaya Yojna and Ann Purna Yojna. 

Secretary Food & Civil Supplies Shri K. Sanjay Murthi welcomed the Chief Minister while Director Food & Civil Supplies Shri Priyantu Mandal presented vote of thanks.

Irrigation & Public Health Minister Smt. Vidya Stokes, Forest Minister Shri Thakur Singh Bharmori, Social Justice & Empowerment Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Rural Development & Panchayati Minister Shri Anil Sharma, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Shri Jagjivan Pal, Shri Nand Lal, Shri Rajesh Dharmani and Shri Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, State Congress President Shri Sukhvinder Singh Thakur, Chairman 20 Point Programme Shri Ram Lal Thakur, Deputy Chairman State Planning Board Shri G.R. Musafir, Chairman HP State Cooperative Bank Shri Harsh Mahajan, Chairman HP State Agriculture Marketing Board Shri Subhash Manglet, Vice-Chairman HP State Forest Corporation Shri Kewal Singh Pathania, MLAs, Councillors of Shimla Municipal Corporation, Chief Secretary Shri Sudripta Roy, DGP Shri Sanjay Kumar, other senior officers and prominent people of the town were also present on the occasion. 

State Government Re-constitutes Gorkha Kalyan Board

The State Government has issued notification to re-constitute the Himachal Pradesh Gorkha Kalyan Board under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister would be the Vice Chairman of the Board. 

Transport Minister, Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, Secretary Social Justice and Empowerment, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, Secretary Planning, Forest, Revenue, Education, Health, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Rural Development, GAD, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Deputy Commissioner Kangra, Hamirpur, Solan, Chamba and Sirmour would be the official members. Director SCs, OBCs and Minority Affairs would be the Member Secretary of the Board.

Pensioners urge CM to call meeting to solve problems

The district unit of the Himachal Pradesh State Pensioners Welfare Association has urged Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh to summon a meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) of pensioners of the state so that all their long-pending problems are reviewed and solved at the earliest according to the election manifesto of the ruling party.

Hukam Singh Thakur, spokesman of the District unit of the Himachal Pradesh State Pensioners Welfare Association, while talking to mediapersons here today, said this unanimous resolution was adopted in a largely-attended meeting of the district unit. The meeting was presided over by Rama Nand Sharma. State senior vice-president JK Nadda and district general secretary Jagdish Dinesh also addressed the meeting.

Another resolution said the government should immediately release at least 8 per cent dearness allowance (DA) instalment due since January this year. District president Rama Nand said all units in the district here had contributed Rs 1,62,221 towards the recent natural calamity in Kinnaur and Uttarakhand.

He said this amount was being sent to state president Jiva Nand Jivan through a demand draft, which would be forwarded to Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh along with other such amounts collected by district units of the state association in other districts.

The meeting was attended by leaders drawn from all parts of the district, including Jaswant Singh Chandel, Sohan Singh Patial, Birbal Dhiman, Sita Ram Sharma, Kala Chandel, Daulat Ram Chauhan, Lekh Ram Sharma, OP Garga, Bhag Singh, Udho Ram, Prem Lal Bina, Sohan Lal, OP Mehta, Thakur Dass Azad, Shankar Dass Sharma, Mahender Bakshi, Sada Ram Kaundal, Sada Ram Thakur, Bali Ram, Milkhi Ram, Sita Ram, Ravinder Bhatta, Dr Upender Gauttam, Kuldip Thakur and GL Sharma among others.

Delegation of APMC Chamba calls on CM

A delegation of Marketing Committee (APMC) Chamba lead by newly appointed Chairman Shri Neeraj Nayar called on Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh. They thanked the Chief Minister for forming new body of APMC, Chamba and assured that they will work for the welfare and to safeguard the interest of farmers. 

The Member’s of APMC Chamba Sh. Rajeev Kaushal, Manoj Kumar, Mahmood Sood, Chuni Lal Thakur, Devender Sharma, Dharmender Singh, Vijay Kanwar, Duni Chand and Gian Chand were also present on the occasion. 

Later the delegation also met Forest Minister Shri Thakur Singh Bharmouri, Industry Minister Shri Mukesh Agnihotri, Urban Development Minister Shri Sudhir Sharma, Chairman Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board, Shri Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Chairman H.P. State Cooperative Bank, Shri Harsh Mahajan, Vice Chairman H.P. Forest Development Corporation, Shri Kewal Singh Pathania, former MP Shri Chander Kumar.