HIMACHAL PRADESH ON THE PATH OF PROGRESS & SELF SUFFICIENCY -Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh

INDEPENDENCE DAY (15 AUGUST 2010)

              We are celebrating 64th Independence Day today. On this day in 1947, India became free at the stroke of midnight from the colonial rule. The moment was the end of nearly a century of struggle for freedom. Thus, this day is an occasion to all of us for rejoicing on the one hand and to pay homage to all those who sacrificed their lives for the cause on the other. It is a moment of pride and glory and the day to commemorate the greatest moment of the Indian history, to signify a feeling of nationalism, solidarity and celebration. We made a tryst with destiny many years ago and the time has come to make an introspection now what we have achieved in all these years of freedom.

India has made rapid strides in various fields after attainment of freedom and today it is a force to reckon with. It is considered one of the fast developing countries today in the comity and nations. The progress made in the field of science, technology and other vital sectors is tremendous. One thing which is of concern is that even after Independence of 63 years, some fissiparous tendencies for achieving their selfish ends are posing threat to the hard earned freedom and unity and integrity of the country. The need of the hour is that we all take a pledge today that we will march shoulder to shoulder for the sake of the motherland.

Right from the 1857 Freedom Movement to the attainment of Independence in 1947, people from this hill State remained actively associated with the freedom struggle. ‘Dhami Goli Kand’ in 1939 and revolt in Kasauli sparked of the feeling of freedom amongst the people of the State. Praja Mandal Movements in the State also paved the way for National Movement for freedom in the State. Seeing the courage and feelings of the people, National leaders of freedom movement, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Molana Abdul Kalam Azad, Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, Madan Mohan Malviya and other visited Shimla to chalk out the course of freedom movement from time to time during the freedom movement. Some of the historic buildings in Shimla where these leaders chalked out strategy for liberating India are today memorials of Freedom Movement.

Be it freedom Movement or wars and aggressions for maintaining the hard earned freedom and unity and integrity of the country, the brave sons of Himachal Pradesh have always remained on forefront. The recipient of first Param Vir Chakara for bravery, Major Som Nath was from Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Out of the four Param Vir Chakras given during operation ‘Vijay’ in Kargil, two were given to brave sons of this State. A number of Vir Chakras and other gallantry awards were also conferred upon the brave sons of Himachal Pradesh for their sacrifices and exemplary courage during this operation. 52 soldiers from this State lost their lives in Operation Vijay while defending their motherland. We are proud of them and pay our homage to them alongwith other freedom fighters and patriots who did not consider any sacrifice too big for the cause of the Nation.

Himachal Pradesh came into being eight months after, India attained freedom. It has started its journey from a scratch and various socio-economic programmes were started in the State for improving the economic lot of the people.  It is a happy augury that Himachal Pradesh, today has emerged as a role model not only for speedy and sustainable development of hilly areas in the country, but also a trendsetter of development for other States. Indicators of development speak amply about it. The per capita income which was merely Rs. 248 in 1948 has gone upto 49211 today.  State Domestic Product has also gone up from Rs. 27 crores to Rs. 42278 crores.  Literacy percentage has also shot up from 8 percent to 76.5 percent in 2001. After achieving the fame as Apple State of the country, Himachal Pradesh is poised to become Fruit Bowl of India. Not only this, it is also on the threshold of becoming Power State of the country. Surveys conducted by various independent prestigious agencies in the recent past had also revealed that Himachal Pradesh is at number one in various spheres of development including Education, Health and Infrastructure development. The State has also attained first position in the country in implementation of 20 point programme during 2009-10. This programme aimed at socio-economic uplift of the weaker sections. In various other socio-economic programmes, the State’s achievements are the best in the country.

The present Government in Himachal Pradesh on assuming office on                   30 December, 2007 has tried to give new direction to development in the State. “Self employment’, ‘Self reliance’ and ‘Self respect’, are the all inclusive motto adopted by the Government, so as to make Himachal Pradesh an ideal State in the country. A State where people have ample opportunities of employment and self employment, enough resources for accelerating the pace of development and sufficient scope for the people to adopt income generating activities so that they live a respectful life in the society. This will also go a long way in achieving the economic freedom so essential to realize the political freedom.

 More than 90 percent of the State’s population live in rural areas.  70 percent of them are dependent on agriculture and allied activities for their sustenance. Keeping in view this, our Government has given priority for strengthening the Agriculture and allied sectors like Horticulture and Animal Husbandry. 12 percent of the total plan resources has been allocated for it during this year. This percentage is the highest in the country. Efforts are being made to increase investment in this sector through external aided projects also.

As a strategy to boost the agriculture sector, the Government has identified priority areas which include diversification of crops from traditional to high value commercial crops, adoption of precision farming through micro-irrigation and protected cultivation. Promotion of organic farming, development of rain fed areas through watershed approach, post harvest marketing, agro processing and value addition and insurance coverage to crops have also been given added attention. An ambitious scheme ‘Pandit Deen Dayal Kisan Bagwan Samridhi Yojna’ has been started in January, 2009 with an investment of Rs. 353 crores. The scheme mainly focuses on diversification of agriculture. 15 lac sq. meter area shall be covered under protected cultivation by constructing of 16,500 poly houses besides bringing an area of 20,000 hectares under micro-irrigation under the scheme. Subsidy of 80 percent is being given under the scheme for construction of poly houses and micro irrigation. For BPL families’ 90 percent subsidy is being given for construction of ‘Bamboo’ poly houses. This scheme is bound to transform the rural economy and create ample opportunities of employment to rural youth. State is also in the process of formulating ‘Organic Farming Policy’. Every farmer in the State would be encouraged to have Vermi Compost Unit on his farm.

For promotion of diversified agriculture and organic farming, Rs. 442 crores project with Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) assistance had been prepared. This project had been put on priority by the Department of Economic Affairs.

 Efforts are afoot to bring more and more area under irrigation as this will enhance productivity and farm income. A target to double the irrigated areas has been fixed for next five years. Himachal Pradesh Water Management Board had been set up with the Chief Minister as Chairman so as to ensure faster development in this field.

Potential of 14277 hectares had been created under major, medium and micro irrigation scheme in last two years and now we plan to bring 19000 hectares more in next three years. Three medium irrigation schemes, Balh valley left bank in district Mandi, Changer area in district Bilaspur and Sidhata in District Kangra are in progress. The work on Shahnehar irrigation scheme is also in full swing and is likely to be completed soon.

Kisan credit cards are under successful operation in the State. Banks in the State have launched a special campaign to cover all eligible willing farmers. More than 3,16,563 Kisan Credit Cards had been issued to the eligible farmers.

The State Government has given a big relief to the small and marginal farmers by waiving off ‘Taccavi loans’ and loans taken by them for land development during the period of 1950s and 1960s thereby benefiting 43,485 small and marginal farmers.

Himachal has emerged as a pioneer in horticulture development in the country. In order to ensure remunerative prices to the fruit growers, the State Government is implementing Market Intervention Scheme under which support price is being given for Apple, Mango and Citrus fruits. There has been remarkable progress in production of off season vegetables and flowers through protected cultivation. To improve productivity and quality, root stocks of apple, cherry, almond and plum have been imported to replace old plantation. Rs. 85 crores Apple Rejuvenation Scheme is being started from this year to replace the old plantation.

The Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Marketing & Processing Corporation (HPMC) has signed an MOU with Patanjali Yogpeeth Ltd. Haridwar for sale and purchase of Apple Juice concentrate and other products.

Animal Husbandry continued to be an integral part of Agriculture in the State. The Government has given added priority to this sector. A Rs. 300 crore ‘Doodh Ganga’ project had been started in the State last year, which envisages helping 50,000 families in the State through 10,000 Self Help Groups. For this, they are being provided loans on subsidized rate of interest. Some of the self help groups have already started income generating activities by taking benefit of this scheme. Another ambitious scheme ‘Mukhya Mantri Pashu Arogya Yojna’ is being implemented from this year. The aim of the scheme is to establish a Veterinary Institution in all such panchayats that are uncovered from veterinary cover at present.  In all 1150 panchayats will benefit form the scheme.  

Agriculture Resource Information System and Networking (AGRISNET) portal has been launched to address the problems faced by those engaged in agriculture and allied activities. This would enable the farmers to access all required information of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and fisheries through a common platform. This portal will serve as a knowledge bank to the farmers.

We have taken a number of pragmatic steps to strengthen the Panchayati Raj Institutions, the grass root institutions of democracy, so as to accelerate the pace of development in rural areas.  A decision has been taken to hold direct election for Vice President of Gram Panchayat. The honorarium of Panchayati Raj Institutions functionaries has been enhanced by 21 percent. The financial assistance for construction of Panchayat Ghars has been enhanced from Rs. 2 lacs to Rs. 3.40 lacs each Panchayat Ghar upto Rs. one lac is being given for repair and maintenance of each Panchayat Ghar. A sum of Rs. 10.20 crores had been spent on construction and Rs. 6.30 crores for repair of Panchayat Ghars during last year. Computerization of all 3243 Panchayats, 75 Panchayat Samitis and 12 Zila Parishads is in progress. A sum of Rs. 21 crores is being spent for this purpose. Instructions had been given to keep the office of Gram Panchayat open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all working days. This decision has been taken to ensure that people do not face any inconvenience for want of record etc. from panchayats.

To create employment avenues in rural areas, the State Government is ensuring effective implementation of MNREGA. So far 9,94,969 rural families have been given job cards thereby covering 82 percent of the rural families. Over 9 lacs rural families have been provided employment under the scheme during last two financial years by generating over five crore mandays. 5529 Self Help Groups have been provided financial assistance in the form of credit to the tune of Rs. 64 crores to enable them start self employment ventures in last two years.

Total sanitation programme is being implemented vigorously in the State. Out of 3243 gram panchayats in the State, 2754 have been made declared Open Defection Free (ODF) by 31 May, 2010 and the process to cover remaining is in progress. Provision of toilets is being made in schools and Anganwari Kendras.

To solve the housing problems of the poor, 21733 houses have been constructed under ‘Atal Awas Yojna and Indira Awas Yojna’ during last two financial years in the State and given to the poor houseless persons. A target of constructing 9790 houses has been fixed for current financial year under these schemes. The financial assistance for construction of houses under these schemes has also been enhanced from Rs. 28500 to Rs. 48500 each house by our Government.

Roads, Health and Education are on the priority agenda of the Government as these are synonymous with the betterment of the lot of common man, which is ultimate objective of our Government. 

We have drawn up a perspective plan to provide road connectivity to all the villages by 2012 having population of 250 or more in the State. At present, the State has a network of 30444 kms. of roads. Out of this, 2768 kms. of motorable roads have been constructed in last two years.  133 bridges have been constructed during the same period to ensure all weather connectivity in every nook and corner of the State. 846 villages have been linked with roads in last two years. The State Government has succeeded in getting five National Highways having length of 494.8 kms. sanctioned from Govt. of India. With this, the number of National Highways in the State have gone from 11 to 16 in the State having length of 1751.6 kms. It is worth mentioning here that four National Highways having length of 5114 kms. were got sanctioned by our Government in last term i.e. 1998-2003. Two National Highways of 252 kms. length were got sanctioned in the year 2008.

Our Government is committed for providing better medical care facilities at the door steps of the people in the State. For this, State and National Health programmes are being implemented effectively, as a result of which, various health indicators of the State are better than the national indicators. Himachal Pradesh has stood first in the country in the enrollment under ‘Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna’ covering 2.44 lakh BPL families which is more than 80 percent of the total 2.98 lakh BPL families in the State. The scheme envisage to give health insurance cover of Rs. 30,000 to BPL families for which they do not have to pay any premium. Not only this, the State Government has gone one step further by giving health insurance cover of Rs. 1.75 lacs in case of critical illness for BPL families.

‘Atal Health Service’ is also being started from October 2 next on Gandhi Jayanti.  Patients in the State will get free Ambulance service under this scheme. A sum of Rs. 20 crores would be spent on this scheme. Rs. 5000 is being deposited at the birth of a girl child in her name in the post office upto two child under ‘Beti Hai Anmol Scheme’, which she can withdraw on attaining the age of       18 years with interests.

Medical Health Institutions of standard are being opened in the State. We have decided to open five Medical Colleges-cum-Hospitals in the State in the private sector, out of which work on two in Solan and Mandi is in progress.  The intake capacity of MBBS in IGMC had been enhanced from 65 to 100 and Post Graduate from 38 to 62. Besides, 21 post graduate seats have been approved in R.P. Medical College Tanda. The General Nursing Medical School (GNMS) in IGMC Shimla has been upgraded and permission to start M.S. Nursing and BSc Nursing had been given.

More than 400 allopathic doctors and a number of specialists doctors have been appointed during last two years and posted in far flung areas of the State so that people do not have to travel long distances to get treatment. The doctors have been allowed special incentives ranging from Rs. 3000 to Rs. 12000 for opting posting in tribal difficult and far-flung areas of the State.

The Ayurvedic System of Medicine and treatment is also being strengthened. Permission has been given to appoint 200 ayurvedic doctors, for which the recruitment process is underway. The Post Graduate seats in Ayurvedic Medical College, Paprola have been increased from 24 to 39.  B. Pharma (Ayurvedic) course is being started in Jogindernagar and BSc Nursing (Ayurvedic) in Paprola. A branch of Patanjali Yog Peeth is being set up near Kandaghat in Solan district with a view to give boost to herbiculture in the State. From October 2, next, Atal Swasthya Yojna is being started in the State under which free Ambulance Service would be provided to the patients in the State and Rs. 20 crores would be spent under this scheme.

   Education is our another top priority. We want to make Himachal Pradesh an ‘Educational Hub’ of the country. Our plan is to open educational institutions of par excellence in the State. We have given permission to open 16 Universities in the private sector out of which nine have come up. A Technical University had been set up at Hamirpur in the Government Sector. A Central University has also started functioning in Kangra District. ‘Atal Shiksha Kunj’ had been set up at ‘Kalujhanda’ in Baddi area of Solan District where educational institutions of repute are being opened. National Institution of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has also been started at Cheb in Kangra district. National Institute of Hotel Management had been opened in Hamirpur. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) has also started functioning in Mandi.

Himachal Pradesh is the first State in the country to make and implement Anti Ragging Act in all the educational institutions besides forming Anti Ragging committees in educational institutions of the State.

Efforts are afoot to strengthen the educational infrastructure. The Government has given sanction to fill up and create more than 18000 posts of various categories of teachers during last two years. Out of these, more than 10,000 had been filled in. Computerization of all educational institutions was also being done in a phased manner. 

For achieving the objective of Self Employment, Self Reliance and Self Respect, we have given added priority for speedy exploitation of the natural resources available within the State. The State has vast hydel, tourism and industrial potential, which if harnessed fully, would undoubtedly make Himachal Pradesh one of the prosperous State in the country.

The State has identified 23230 MW power potential so far. We have adopted multi-pronged strategy for exploitation of this potential through involvement of Public Sector, Private Sector and Joint Sector. Out of the identified hydel potential, 6460 MW had been harnessed by various agencies so far. We have made a perspective plan to harness 17000 MW of power by the end of 13th Five Year Plan period. At present,         13 hydel electric projects with installed capacity of 1125 MW are under execution in the State Sector. Five Hydel projects with aggregate installed capacity of 2800 MW are under execution in Central/ Joint Sector. 5986 MW would be harnessed in the private sector by the end of 12th Five Year Plan period.

The State Government had also given priority for exploitation of small hydro potential as these are environment friendly and will create job opportunities in rural areas. 3000 MW of such potential had been identified so far.  Himachalis are being given preference in small hydro projects. Projects upto 2 MW capacity are being given to investors of the State and in projects upto 5 MW, they are being given preference.

Tourism is another Sector, which can generate income to the State and employment to the local people. Due to varied climatic and geographical conditions, there is vast scope for development of adventure, heritage, religious, rural and eco tourism. Some unique initiatives like ‘Home Stay Scheme’, ‘Har Gaon Ki Kahani,’ ‘Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai’ had been taken to boost up tourism activities in the State in the recent past. Efforts are afoot to start Heli-Taxi Services in the State to facilitate the tourists visiting far-flung areas of the State. The proposal to set up six ropeways in different locations in the State under Public Private Parternership (PPP) mode is under the consideration of the Government. These ropeways have been planned to be installed at Bhunter-Bijli Mahadev, Palchan-Rohtang in Kullu district, Dharamkot-Triund and Palampur-Neugal Kangra district. Nainadevi-Anandpur Sahib in Bilaspur district, Shahtalai-Deotsidh in Hamirpur district.

Industrial development has been given big boost for income and employment generation. Environment friendly, income and employment oriented industries are being encouraged in the State. No doubt, the scrapping of excise duty by the Govt. of India on March 31, 2010, which was been given by the NDA Government earlier upto 2013, had given a set back to our efforts in industrial development but State Government at its own is doing best to attract maximum investments to the State by providing them best infrastructure, investor friendly environment and abundant supply of power for industries on reasonable rates. To facilitate the entrepreneurs, most of the clearances are being given by the Single Window Clearance and Monitoring Authority. During last two years, investment worth Rs. 12585 crores has been attracted to the State by giving approval for setting up of 3157 industrial units. These units will provide employment to more than one lakh persons.

Information Technology Park is being set up near Waknaghat in Solan District at a cost of about Rs. 400 crores where 25000 persons would get employment. A Biotechnological Park would be set up at Aduwal near Nalagarh in Solan district with an investment of Rs. 200 crores and employment to about 500 persons.

We owe a great to our freedom fighters and warriors. As a mark of respect we have raised the ‘Samman Rashi’ of the freedom fighters from Rs. 2000 to Rs. 4000 per month and Rs.3000 to their widows and unmarried daughters. Freedom fighters wards are being given 2 percent reservation in Government jobs, besides free seats has also been reserved for wards of freedom fighters in MBBS, BDS and BAMS courses. The daughters and grand daughters of freedom fighter are also being given marriage grant of Rs. 10,000. Cash award annual annuity of gallantry award winners and Yudh Jagir honorarium had also been enhanced by the State Government in recognition of their services to the Nation. Memorials are also being raised in various parts of the State to signify the freedom movement events. Government has decided to raise Suket Memorial at Karsog in Mandi district from where the freedom movement had sparked to other parts of the State. Similar memorials are being set up in Rani Jhansi Park, Shimla, Hamirpur and Una. We are also committed for the welfare of serving soldiers and ex-servicemen in the State. Keeping in view, the services rendered by them for the Nation. During Kargil aggression, State Government had given Rs. five lac to the next of kin of those soldiers of the State who lost their lives while defending the country and upto Rs. 3 lacs who were injured. Besides, one person of each 52 brave sons of the State who lost their lives in the ‘Operation Vijay’ were given employment. Rs. one lac had been given to those soldiers of para military forces who lost their lives in this operation.

Friends, our vision for Himachal Pradesh is to make it an ideal, prosperous and self reliant State. We are sure that with the cooperation of the people, we would be able to achieve this goal.                           

                  Jai Hind !  Jai Himachal !