Himachal CM concerned over rising number of drug addiction cases

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today expressed concern over rising number of drug addiction cases in the state.

Speaking at the state-level Independence Day function at Indora in Kangra district, Thakur urged the public to play an active role in eradicating the menace of drug abuse in the state.

Earlier, Thakur hoisted the National Flag and saluted the march-past contingents -- state police, Jammu and Kashmir police, home guards, NCC, scouts, guides and NSS cadets. The parade was led by DSP RK Thakur.

The state government is endeavouring to double farmers' income by 2022, for which zero budget natural farming is being promoted in a big way and Rs 25 crore has been earmarked for it, said Thakur during his maiden speech on Independence Day as chief minister.

Thakur announced the enhancement of grant being given to kin of person who dies due to attack by a wild animal from Rs 1.20 lakh to Rs 4 lakh and for those seriously injured from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh.

He also announced the enhancement of grant being given in case of death of milch cattle from Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000. The CM said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the nation from the historic Red Fort today made special reference regarding daughters of Himachal Pradesh succeeding in Sagar Parikrama which was indeed a matter of great pride for the state.

Thakur announced opening of public works department (PWD) and construction of mini-secretariat at Indora. He also said Gau Sadans would be opened at Indora, Jawalamukhi and Jaisinghpur in Kangra district.

The CM said the community health centre in Indora will be upgraded to a 50-bed hospital. Further, X-ray and ultra sound machines will be installed at the medical institute.

He also announced upgradation of police post damtal to police station, besides five tube wells will be dug up in Indora.

The CM said ex-servicemen and their widows who were getting social security pension of Rs 500 per month would now get social security pension of Rs 3,000 per month.

The income limit for getting benefits under schemes of the State Sainik Kalyan Department would be increased from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 7 lakh.

On the occasion, the CM granted Rs 51,000 from his discretionary fund to the school students presenting at cultural programme.

Thakur lso awarded Himachal Gaurav Puraskar to Shail Bala (posthumously), who was killed at Mando Matkanda during a demolition drive, and Gulab Singh (posthumously). Himachal Pradesh State Innovation Award went to Dr Pradeep Kumar, a scientist from Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Agriculture University, Palampur.

The CM also gave away prizes to the participants of culture performances.

Health Minister Vipin Singh Parmar, MLAs Ramesh Dhawala, Rakesh Pathania, Rajesh Thakur, Arjun Singh, Rajesh Thakur, Ravinder Singh, Arun Mehra and Rita Dhiman, former MP Kripal Parmar, former MLA Dulo Ram, Chief Secretary Vineet Chawdhry, DGP SR Mardi were present at meet.