All election promises fulfilled within 3 yrs: HP CM

Chief minister Virbhadra Singh today said his government had fulfilled all poll promises within three years and now its sole agenda is to ensure "balanced and uniform" development of the Himachal Pradesh.
"My government does not believe in regionalism or casteism. It is committed to uniform development of the state and the victory of Congress backed candidates in Panchayat and urban local bodies' elections is a proof that people have reposed their faith in the government," Singh said while addressing a press conference on completion of three years in office.
He said that his government had completed three years in office on December 25, 2015 but no function or press conference could be held to list its achievements as model code of conduct was in place.

The government had adopted the party manifesto as its policy document and not only fulfilled the promises but gone beyond the promisesmade in the manifesto, he added.
Singh said the government's track record on development had been remarkable and the state has witnessed spectacular development in key sectors like education, health, irrigation, drinking water and tourism during last three years.
The HP government was providing subsidised foodgrains to about 18. 23 lakh ration card holders and also extending subsidy on power to all the domestic consumers.

Singh said in health sector, three new medical colleges were coming up at Nahan, Hamirpur and Chamba, "Government is all set to take over the ESI medical college in Mandi and make it functional from this year whilean AIIMs is coming up atBilaspur."

The State government has provided employment to more than 60,000 people, including 27,000 in the government sector and 33,000 in the private sector in the last three years and is committed to create more than 25,000 employment opportunities in the next two years.
Besides, the government has launched Rs 500 crore Skill Development Allowance Scheme under which an unemployed youth would get an allowance of Rs 1000 per month while youth with special abilities of Rs 1500 and till now 1,07,887 youths have been benefitted.
Annual Income Limit for availing benefits under various welfare schemes has been enhanced from Rs 20,000 to Rs 35,000, social security pension has been enhanced from Rs 450 to Rs 600 per month benefitting 3,63,825 aged, widows and persons with special abilities persons.

Persons above 80 years of age were being provided social security pension at the rate Rs 1,100 per month irrespective of their income and over 37 lakh people are getting 3 kg wheat at Rs 2 per kg and 2 kg rice at Rs 3 per kg per person per month under the 'Rajiv Gandhi Anna Yojana', he said.