The 71st Himachal Day was celebrated throughout the state today with usual gaiety with Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur presiding over a function at the historic Ridge Maidan here.
Thakur unfurled the tricolour and took salute at a march-past by contingents of Police, Home Guards, NCC, NSS, Scouts and Guides, followed by colourful culture programmes.
Various other functions were also held at district and sub-divisional headquarters.
Speaking on the occasion, Thakur said that five new helipads would be constructed in the state to increase air-connectivity.
He said the state government would continue to strive for speedy and all-round development of the state and implement all the announcements made in the budget.
"Thirty new schemes have been announced in the budget and sufficient budget provision has been made for their implementation," said Thakur.
He said the state had seen rapid development which was possible only through concerted efforts of the people and that the state was poised to witness a new era of development and prosperity.
Listing his government's achievements, Thakur said it had lowered the eligibility age of senior citizens for getting pension without any income limit from 80 to 70 years and launched 'Gudiya' helpline-1515 and 'Shakti Button App' for the safety and security of women.
Thakur said a provision of Rs 100 crore had been made for tarring and maintenance of roads and Detailed Project Reports of 123 roads had been completed. The government has also prepared the DPRs of the 69 National Highways sanctioned by the Centre for the state.
He listed Himachal Grihani Suvidha scheme and Mukhyamantri Aadarsh Vidya Kendra among his achievements. He said the state government had taken effective steps to diversify agricultural activities, strengthen and implement irrigational facilities and promote zero budget natural farming and organic farming.
The chief minister said that making Himachal Pradesh an industrial hub was the main priority of the state government.
"Seventeen industrial units with an investment of Rs. 456.43 crore have been approved under the single-window mechanism during this period," he said.
He also expressed grief over the recent school bus accident near Nurpur in which 28 people were killed, including 24 school children, and assured that the state government would take all necessary measures to ensure that there was no recurrence of such incidents in the future.
He expressed satisfaction over the progress of investigations by the CBI in Kotkhai Gudiya rape and murder case.
"The arrest of one suspect has raised hopes that the family of the victim would get justice," he said.
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