Government committed to channelisation of rivers: Minister

Tribune News Service

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Shimla, August 16

Unfurling national flag and impressive march-past by contingents of police and Home Guard jawans were main attraction of the 74th Independence Day celebrations in the state.

Governor hoists flag at Raj Bhavan

The 74th Independence Day was celebrated with gaiety and fervour at Himachal Pradesh Raj Bhavan, Shimla. Governor Bandaru Dattatreya hoisted the National Flag and took salute from the contingents of the police. Officers and all staff members were present on the occasion.

SJVN rewards 34 Corona Warriors

Chairman and Managing Director, SJVN Nand Lal Sharma rewarded 34 sanitation workers deployed in the SJVN by the contractor with Rs 5,000 each on Independence Day for their valuable contribution in keeping the office premises of SJVN clean. He said that sanitation workers are at the frontlines of this global crisis and play important role in keeping our workplace clean and hygienic. During the function SJVN Corporate Song “Hum Satluj ki dharon se” was also released.

Jal Shakti and Horticulture Minister Mahender Singh Thakur presided over the function at Shimla. He paid homage to the martyrs, who laid down their lives for the freedom of the country. Thakur said a sum of Rs 125 crores was being spent under the first phase of Pradhan Mantri Agriculture Irrigation Scheme for 111 projects with a view to provide irrigation facility to the farmers and double their income. He said the state was committed to channelization of rivers and there was proposal of Rs 90 crore for Pubber River of Paonta Sahib, Rs 250 crore for Yamuna river, Rs 231 crore for Naker khud of Kangra, Rs 160 crore for Seer Khud, Rs 145 crore for Sakrain khud of Mandi and Rs 6,800 crore for Renuka Dam.

9% budget for tribal areas

Tribal Development and Technical Education Minister Dr Ram Lal Markanda presided over the function at Keylong in Lahaul & Spiti district. He said the state government was allocating 9 per cent of its budget for various development works in tribal areas in this financial year.

He said a provision of Rs. 5.91 crore has been made for medical facilities, Rs. 22.04 crore for Public Works Department, Rs 3.3 crore for education, Rs 6 crore for irrigation and Rs 4 crore for drinking water in Lahaul division. Financial assistance of Rs 5.90 crore has been provided to 9,078 beneficiaries under Sahara Yojna. The state was encouraging natural farming at large scale, and so far around 59,000 farmers have adopted natural farming in the state.

Funds under Tribal Sub-Plan

Presiding over the district level Independence Day function at Reckong Peo in Kinnaur district, Chief Whip Narendra Bragta said a provision of Rs 88.60 crore has been made under Tribal Sub-Plan for the district. He said that Rs 25.86 crore have been provided for construction of roads and bridges in the district during this financial year under Tribal Sub-Plan and added that 14 road projects have been approved under Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojna for the district and the work on these projects was in progress.

Age limit for pension reduced

Presiding over the function at Bilaspur, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Virendra Kanwar said the age limit for social security pension has been reduced from 80 years to 70 years and more than 2.85 lakh people aged above 70 years were being provided pension at the rate of Rs1,500 per month.