Need to strengthen rural economy, says Chauhan

The state government is laying emphasis on strengthening the industry, tourism and rural economy. This was stated by Industries, Parliamentary Affairs, Labour and Employment Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan today, while presiding over the 78th Himachal Day celebrations at Thodo Ground here.

On the occasion, he unfurled the national flag and took salute of an impressive march past held by the police, Home Guards and NCC scouts led by Sub-Inspector Vinay Thakur. He also paid tribute to martyrs at the Kargil Shaheed Smarak and to first Chief Minister of the state, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar.

While addressing gathering on the occasion, he said, “The vision of carving out Himachal Pradesh was realised due to the tireless efforts of Dr Parmar. Today, the state is striving towards setting higher levels of development.”

Chauhan said for a strong and self-reliant Himachal, it was necessary to strengthen the rural economy. “The state government is strengthening the tourism and industry sector along with the rural economy. New tourist destinations are being setup by spending Rs 2,400 crore. Planned efforts are underway to provide better employment and self-employment opportunities to the youth,” he said.

The minister said the state government was moving forward in the direction of providing jobs to unemployed on the basis of their qualifications. “In its two-and-a-quarter-year tenure, the state government has provided jobs to 32,000 youth. At least 20,000 posts have been created. Efforts area afoot to provide relief to all sections of society.”

Elaborating upon other developmental initiatives, he said “Under MNREGA, daily wages have been increased from Rs 80 to Rs 320. Daily wage workers will now get Rs 425 per day.” He said the state government had approved investment proposals worth Rs 3,084 crore last year which would generate employment for 15,000 people. Besides, Rs 350-crore medical device park was being setup on 1,623 bighas of land at Nalagarh and Rs 2,000-crore bulk drug park in Una district which would employ at least 10,000 people, he said.

He also felicitated people for their exemplary achievements in various fields on the occasion. MLAs Sanjay Awasthi, Vinod Sultanpuri and Hardeep Bawa, DC and SP were among those present on the occasion.

Himachal Tribune