Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said the government is monitoring the progress of various schemes and projects online that were launched by the government through ‘Chief Minister Dashboard’.

Addressing State Level Independence Day function at Indora in Kangra district, he said the government was working with a sole motto of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’ for ensuring the over all round development of the state.

“30 new schemes for the welfare of the people have been announced by the government for welfare of every section of the society and adequate provision has been made in the budget for these schemes,” he said.

Thakur said the government was committed towards safety and security of the women and ‘Shakti Button App’ and ‘Gudiya Helpline-1515’ have been started for their safety. ‘Hoshiyar Singh Helpline- 1090’ has also been started to strictly deal with the forest mafia, mining mafia and drug mafia.

“Upliftment of weaker sections of society has been the topmost priority of the government. Today, about 4.47 lakh eligible persons of different categories are being provided social security pension for which a budget provision of Rs 600 crore has been made for this financial year,” he said.

Thakur said ‘Jan Manch’ programme has been launched for speedy redressal of the public grievances at the door-steps of the people. This programme has emerged as useful and effective tool of communication and establishing a direct link with the masses in the state.

He said that the state government has started ‘Himachal Grihini Suvidha Yojna’ under which domestic gas connections are being provided free of cost to those eligible families. He urged all to sensitize the people living in rural areas about to this scheme so that maximum number of household could be covered under it.

Thakur said the government has succeeded in getting six major projects amounting to Rs 6310 crore from the government of India.

These projects for tourism development, horticulture development, strengthening drinking water facility, water conservation, rain-water harvesting and forest management would certainly prove a boon in doubling the income of farmers, providing employment to the youth and empowerment of women.

The government and the people of the state were grateful to the Centre government for extending liberal financial assistance to the state.

This has been possible due to the benevolence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added.

The Chief Minister said that another new scheme ‘Nai Raahein-Nai Manzilien’ with an outlay of Rs 50 crore has been started, under which tourists are being attracted to visit unexplored places having natural splendour.

Central government has recently sanctioned an ambitious tourism development project of Rs 1,892 crore which will give boost to this sector.

Further, Helitaxi service has been started between Shimla and Chandigarh and the state government has provided the state helicopter to start Heli Taxi service between Shimla and Chandigarh for three days in a week. Efforts are being made to start such services for other important tourist destinations, he added.