Reach out to people: HP CM to PRI representatives

The Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) representatives and the government functionaries should reach out to the people and make them aware of the programmes and policies for their welfare, Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh today said.
Addressing a public meeting at Kumarhatti in Solan district, he said, "The first priority of any government is to cater to the educational needs of the people and I feel proud to see Himachal being adjudged as the best among the states in higher education".
"To provide quality education at the door step mostly to girls, the government decided to introduce scholarship of Rs 5,000 annually for girls belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families under Beti Hai Anmol Yojna who are studying in graduate level and equivalent courses," he added.

Singh said that emoluments of contract employees have been enhanced from 50 per cent to 75 per cent of grade pay and wages of daily wagers have been increased from Rs 150 to Rs 210, while the social welfare pension has been enhanced from Rs 450 to Rs 700.
In order to strengthen the health infrastructure, three new medical colleges have been opened besides ESIC college in Mandi while the government has given land for building of AIIMS at Bilaspur but the "delay" was on part of Union Health Ministry, he said, adding that he hoped that the issue would be "resolved soon".