Post Covid, Himachal Pradesh back on development path: Governor

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 11

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar today said efforts were on to accelerate the pace of development in Himachal after facing the difficult challenges of the coronavirus.

The Governor was addressing the Governors’ Conference at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi today. He said he himself was making efforts to establish this hilly region as an ideal state by contributing towards various social issues.

Arlekar said despite the difficult geographical conditions, Himachal has become the first state in the country to administer the first dose of Covid vaccination to its entire eligible population. He said tourism activities were being promoted in the state by organizing fairs based on the specialty of each district as this will provide a platform and market to the local products and help realise Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Vocal for Local’.

He said in order to make the working of Raj Bhavan transparent, fast and smooth, Himachal Raj Bhavan has been converted into e-office. “Effective steps are being taken to provide quality education in higher education institutions besides implementation of the National Education Policy,” he stated.

Speaking about the ‘Har Ghar Pathshala’ programme of the state he said the scheme has benefited about eight lakh students.

The Governor said that immense progress has been made in natural farming in the state and more than 1.5 lakh farmers have adopted natural farming under Subhash Palekar Prakritik Kheti. These agricultural activities are being carried on 1.2 lakh bighas of land in the state.

He also raised the issue of drug smuggling and substance consumption and said that work is being done at every level to curb this menace. He said that as a Governor, it would be his endeavour that the benefits of various schemes of the Central and the state governments reach the people directly.