Despite tapering RDG, development not affected in state, says Shiv Pratap Shukla
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla today addressed the Assembly on the opening day of the 16-day Budget session of the Vidhan Sabha, which will conclude on March 28. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Speaker Kuldeep Pathania and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur welcomed the Governor in Shimla.
He said the government had initiated several welfare schemes and fulfilled six of the 10 guarantees despite financial constraints due to tapering revenue deficit grant (RDG) from the Centre.
He delivered his 53-page speech in Hindi in one-and-a-half hour. "With GST compensation to states coming to an end in 2022 and RDG being reduced to Rs 3,257 crore in 2025-26, the state is facing fund crunch. However, this has not impacted the pace of development," he said.
"My government has fulfilled six of the 10 guarantees made to the people, which includes restoration of the old pensions scheme, Rs 1,500 to women, launch of Rs 680-crore Rajiv Gandhi StartUp Swarozgar Yojana and MSP on natural wheat and maize," he said.
"I hope the government will continue to uphold the tradition of accepting my suggestions and recommendations. I am glad that the government has adopted the campaign against drugs to save the youth from falling prey to this menace," he added.
He outlined the several schemes launched to promote agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and animal husbandry, including crop diversification, natural farming and crop protection through solar farming. The universal carton packaging has been approved and Rs 78.37 crore has been disbursed as minimum support price for apple.
He mentioned the Sukh Ashray scheme providing financial help and other facilities to orphaned children who have been adopted as 'children of the state.' He said Him Parivar registers have been made for transparency in the public distribution system.
Several reforms had been rolled out in the education sector, including teaching in English medium which has helped improve the learning levels of the students studying in government schools, with Himachal being ranked at number one in the country. Steps have also been taken to ensure quality education, including exposure visits for teachers and students.
