Hamirpur (HP), March 19 : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said said on Saturday that the state had not only emerged as the frontrunner in administering the first dose of vaccine to the eligible population, but it also stood first in providing the second dose of vaccine. While addressing a well attended public meeting at Lambloo village in Hamirpur today, he said that the people of the country were fortunate that the nation during these testing times is led by an able and strong leadership. He said that it was due to the motivation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that not only indigenous vaccine was developed, but the biggest free vaccination campaign of the world was also launched in the country. He said that it was unfortunate that the Congress leaders were “politicizing” such a sensitive issue. Thakur said that it was probably due to the misdeeds of the Congress leaders that the oldest political party of the country has completely lost its base throughout the country. Earlier, the Chief Minister dedicated and laid foundation stones of 19 developmental projects costing Rs. 165 crore at Lambloo in Hamirpur Assembly Constituency of the district. The Chief Minister announced the opening of Primary Health Centre and Veterinary Hospital at Lambloo, up-gradation of Veterinary dispensary Taal to Veterinary Hospital, and up-gradation of Government High School Pathiyan to Senior Secondary School. He said that it was probably for the first time that developmental projects worth Rs. 165 crore were dedicated to the area in a single day. Thakur said that the main aim of the present state government during the last four years was to ensure the socio-economic upliftment of the poor and the downtrodden. He said that all the schemes, policies, and programs of the State Government were aimed at the upliftment of the persons living at the lowest ebb. He said that the very first decision of the present state government was aimed at the welfare of the old people and another at ensuring proper shelter to the abandoned cattle. He said that Rs 500 were being provided per month per cattle in Cow Sanctuaries and Gau Sadans, which now has been increased to Rs 700 per month per cow in the budget 2022-23. Chief Minister said that wages of daily wagers were being increased by Rs 50 per day to Rs 350 per day. He said that the monthly honorarium of Anganwadi workers, Anganwadi Assistants, and ASHA workers has been increased considerably. In addition to this, the honorarium of representatives of Urban Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions has also been increased considerably, he added. The Chief Minister was accorded a rousing welcome on his arrival at Lambloo. Various social, cultural, and political organizations honored the Chief Minister on the occasion. Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Virender Kanwar said that the previous Congress government did nothing for solving the problem of stray animals or for providing shelter for the abandoned cattle. He thanked the Chief Minister for setting up several cow sanctuaries and Gau sadans in different parts of the State, which were providing shelter to over 20,000 abandoned cattle. He said that the census of cattle would be completed within two months which would help the Government to ensure that no one abandons their cattle to roam on roads. MLA Hamirpur Narender Thakur, while welcoming the Chief Minister to his home constituency said that the BJP has again succeeded in forming the Government in four states of the country where elections were held recently. He said that the so-called National Party Congress(NCP) was able to win only two seats in Uttar Pradesh. Deputy Chief Whip Kamlesh Kumari, District BJP President Baldev Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Hamirpur Debasweta Banik, Superintendent of Police Dr. Aakriti Sharma were present on the occasion among others. /CSS/RKM
