The Chief Minister said that the State Government is aware of the difficulties faced by the transporters during the COVID-19 pandemic and this sector has been affected the most. He said that the government provided 100 per cent tax relief of all commercial vehicles during this pandemic and provided a loan amount of Rs 11 crore to stage carriage operators under the interest subvention scheme on working capital for smooth running of their buses. Went. He said that the state provided tax relief for twenty months, which is probably the maximum in the country and during this period benefits of about Rs 120 crore were provided to the transporters. He said that the frontline workers have played a vital role in helping the state government to contain the spread of COVID-19 in this difficult period of the pandemic as well as boosting the economy.Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government has decided to zero billing for electricity consumption up to 60 units, which would benefit about 4.50 lakh electricity consumers of the state. He said that cheaper electricity would also be made available at a concessional rate of Re 1 per unit to benefit more than 7 lakh consumers consuming power between 61 to 125 units. He said that the rate of electricity for farmers would be 30 paise per unit.The Chief Minister said that in this budget he has announced to reduce the age limit for old age pension to 60 years for all without any income limit. He said that all such pensioners, who were getting pension of Rs 850 per month now, will now get Rs 1,000 per month, while such pensioners who are getting pension of Rs 1,000 per month will now get Rs 1500. All such pensioners who were currently getting a pension of Rs 1,500 per month will now get Rs 1,700 per month. He said that women in the age group of 60 to 65 years would also be entitled to old age pension without any income limit. He said that now 7.50 lakh beneficiaries will get the benefit of old age pension schemes, on which Rs 1,300 crore will be spent.Jai Ram Thakur said that the transporters have also played an important role in the homecoming of lakhs of youths stranded in different parts of the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said that it is due to the efficient and strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the world’s largest vaccination campaign has been successfully completed in the country. He said that it was because of this strong leadership that the BJP has won four out of the five state election results announced recently.The Chief Minister announced the opening of Model Career Center in Shahpur Assembly Constituency. He announced to provide one crore rupees for opening of veterinary dispensaries at Kutharna and Tatwani, upgradation of Primary Health Center Chari to Community Health Center and construction of building of Community Health Center Lang. He said that the matter of construction of Indoor Stadium at Shahpur would be taken up with the Government of India very soon.Welcoming the Chief Minister, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Sarveen Choudhary said that the present State Government has provided several incentives to the private bus operators of the State to provide relief during the Corona pandemic. He thanked the Chief Minister for drastically increasing the honorarium of various categories of employees in the state. He said that now Anganwadi workers Rs 9,000, Mini Anganwadi workers Rs 6,000, Anganwadi helpers Rs 4600, ASHA workers Rs 4700, Tailoring teachers Rs 7,850, Mid-day meal workers Rs 3400, Water carriers of education department will get Rs 3,800, water guards of Jal Shakti department will get Rs 4,400, multi-purpose employees Rs 3,800, para fitters and pump operators will get honorarium of Rs 5,400 per month.Industries and Transport Minister Bikram Thakur said that being a hilly state, public transport is the main mode of transport in the state. He said that the Chief Minister’s attention is always focused on the welfare of each and every section of the society. He said that in the budget for the next financial year presented by the Chief Minister on the 4th of this month, more emphasis has been laid on the welfare of every section of the society and development of every area of the state. He said that transparent and accountable administration of the state is attracting entrepreneurs to invest here.Bus Operators Association President Rajesh Parashar thanked the Chief Minister for providing necessary relief to the transporters during the difficult times of the global pandemic Corona. He urged the Chief Minister to remove the cess on green tax. He also urged them to introduce single window for disposal of various cases of operators.President of Bus Operators Confederation of India Prasanna Patwardhan thanked the Chief Minister for providing maximum exemption during the pandemic by waiving off the tax of transporters for 20 months in Himachal as compared to one year in other states of the country. He also underlined the importance of public transport especially in hilly areas like Himachal Pradesh. Kultar Singh of All India Private Bus Operators Union also shared his views on the occasion.On this occasion, Ravi Dutt Sharma of District Kangra Private Bus Operators Association welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries. He thanked the Chief Minister for providing necessary relief to the bus operators during the pandemic.Former MLA Surendra Kaku, District BJP President Chandrabhushan Nag, Zilla Parishad President Ramesh Brar, Director Transport Anupam Kashyap, Deputy Commissioner Kangra Dr. Nipun Jindal, Superintendent of Police Dr. Khushal Chand Sharma and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Chief Minister addressed the honor ceremony of Himachal Pradesh Private Bus Operator Association
