ACHIEVEMENTS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH IN AGRICULTURE SECTOR
Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme gave relief to farmers. More than 2 lakh farmer families benefited from the state. 6000 rupees per year being given to farmers under the scheme. More than 5 lakhs amount distributed to the farmers of the state under the scheme. Natural farming strengthened natural farming through Khushal Kisan Yojana. The state government has made a budget provision of 20 crores for the scheme. State farmers are now adopting natural farming. Conservation of agriculture and crops being done under the Chief Minister's Farm Protection Scheme. Farmers are getting subsidy for solar fencing. 50 percent subsidy is being provided for planting barbed wire on the fields. Now monkeys and destitute will not be able to harm animal crops. "Strengthening agriculture with water" project boosts farmers. Plan proving effective for increasing production and irrigation in agriculture sector. Himachal government made provision of 50 crore budget for the scheme. 534 old and new irrigation schemes are being reconstructed under the scheme. 500 farmers of the state benefited from "Chief Minister Nutan Poly House Project". Himachal government made budget provision of 150 crores for the scheme. Under the scheme 5000 poly houses will be set up in different areas of the state. 20,000 beneficiaries of the state will get employment under the scheme.
ACHIEVEMENTS IN HIMACHAL PRADESH IN FISHERIES SECTOR
During the tenure of the state government, 20484.96 metric tonnes of fish worth Rs 427.35 crore were produced from all the existing water sources in the state. 17.87 metric tons of edible trout worth Rs 97.15 lakh have been produced from government trout farms. A total revenue of Rs 4814.13 lakhs has been received from these farms. 1037.25 MT of trout fish worth Rs 25.20 crores has also been produced in private sectors. As a result of the successful breeding of rainbow trout in the state, trout units have also been set up in private areas in Kullu, Shimla, Mandi, Kangra, Kinnaur, Chamba and Sirmaur districts. In the major reservoirs of the state, full-time self-employment was provided to 10339 women and 1059.90 metric tonnes of fish worth Rs 13.66 crore have been produced by these women. During this period, financial assistance of Rs. 80.73 lakh has been provided to 2691 active reservoir traders during the hunting season. The centrally sponsored scheme - Implementation of Fishermen's Housing Scheme, a component of the national scheme for the welfare of fishermen, is borne in 90: 10 ratio by the Central and State Government. Under the Fishermen Housing Scheme, 200 fishermen belonging to general category, scheduled caste and scheduled tribes benefitted.
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To promote fisheries in the state and provide self-employment opportunities, 468 new employment opportunities have been provided under the welfare schemes being run by the government. 100 fishermen benefitted from the grant assistance of Rs.2.50 lakhs received from National Fisheries Development Board (NPFDB). In addition, 10 departmental officers were sent to various states of the country for training under the Training of Trainers (TOT) program. Under the centrally sponsored scheme Nil Kranti, fish ponds, retail outlets, trout raceways, feed mills etc. were also established in the state. In order to promote aquaculture in the state and increase productivity, recirculating aquaculture system is being set up at Government Carp Farm Nalagarh. In the Gobindsagar Reservoir, for the first time in 2018-19, experimentally successful production of trout fish was carried out in cages. In the year 2019-20, production of trout fish will be started in cages in Cauldam reservoir. Food processing centers have been set up by the government at Bhakra (Bilaspur), Khatiyad (Kangra), Ratayod (Solan) and Katohar Kalan (Una) in the state. A trout processing center is being set up by the government at the troupe firm Patli Kühl at a cost of Rs 1.09 crore. The proposal for trout insurance sent by the state government has been approved by the central government. In the future, trout producers may insure their fish grains to be protected from natural disasters and other types of damages. A memorandum of understanding for investment of Rs 7 crore in private sectors has also been signed by the government. This unit will be set up in Baddi district Solan.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH IN HEALTH SECTOR
The state government has taken up the task of providing relief to the needy people by launching new schemes in the field of health. At present, through 4320 government medical institutions and 258 private health institutions, better medical facilities are being provided to remote areas in the state. Innovative schemes like Himcare and Sahara are being introduced to provide better medical facilities to every needy person. Himachal has received several awards at the national level as a result of providing better medical services. 'Himcare' scheme was launched for families not covered under Ayushman Bharat Yojana. Under the scheme, a provision of free treatment of Rs 5 lakh per family has been made on the lines of Ayushman Bharat Scheme. 5 lakh 50 thousand families have been registered under Himcare. From January 1, 2020, new ice care cards will be created. 201 hospitals have been registered to avail the snow care scheme, out of which 51 hospitals are in the private sector. By the end of November ,2019, about 43 thousand patients benefitted under the snow care scheme. More than Rs 42.35 crore was spent on treatment.
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3 lakh families have also been registered under Ayushman Bharat scheme. 33 crore 16 lakh was spent on treatment of more than 35 thousand patients within a year. Scheme to convert 523 primary health centers and 354 health sub-centers into health and wellness centers. All basic medical facilities will be available in these wellness centers under this scheme. The Chief Minister Medical Fund has been set up to provide financial assistance to persons suffering from serious diseases. Out of this fund, financial assistance of more than four crores was provided to 192 beneficiaries. In order to provide some relief to such families, 'Sahara Yojana' has been started for the care of such patients, in view of the need for continuous care to those suffering from serious diseases like cancer, hemorrhage, muscular dystrophy, thalassemia and Parkinson. Under this scheme, assistance of Rs 2,000 per month was provided to each patient. There is a budget provision of Rs 10 crore for this scheme this year.
With a view to increase private investment in the health sector, a participatory scheme in health has been started. For private multi-specialty hospitals to be opened under this scheme, there is a provision of giving 25 percent capital subsidy on an investment of Rs 2 crore, while 5 percent interest subsidy on loan of Rs 1.5 crore is provided for 3 years. is.
80 crore rupees were spent on providing free medicines to the people at the rural level in all government hospitals in the state. IGMC, major hospitals like Shimla, Tanda Medical College and Nerchak Medical College, 330 medicines are being provided 24 hours free.
Atal Aashirwad Yojana has been launched to provide "New Visitor Kit" to hospital-born newborns and their mothers. Under this scheme, useful material is being made available for infants worth about 1500 rupees. Within a year, more than 77,000 kits have been made available for distribution to all the Chief Medical Officers of the state under this scheme. For the personal hygiene of adolescent girls, sanitary napkins are being made available at the rate of Re 1 per packet to all girl students from class VI to XII, for which a budget provision of Rs 4 crore has been made. 8,79,634 sanitary napkin packets have been distributed so far. 108 bike ambulance service started in the state. Himachal Pradesh is the first state in northern India to start this service. Five new health centers were opened in the state and five health centers were upgraded and one health sub-center was upgraded to Primary Health Center, four Primary Health Centers were upgraded to Community Health Center and seven Community Health Centers were upgraded to Civil Hospital. The capacity of Civil Hospital Anni has been increased from 50 to 100 beds, Civil Hospital Nurpur has been increased from 135 to 200 beds, the capacity of Civil Hospital Thural has been increased to 100 beds and the capacity of Civil Hospital Paonta Sahib has been increased from 100 to 150 beds. AIIMS is under construction in Bilaspur. PGI is becoming a satellite center in Una, Chandigarh. In the last two years, the posts of more than 900 doctors were filled. Himachal Pradesh received the Best State Award for outstanding performance under the National Tuberculosis Prevention Program.
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The percentage of institutional deliveries in the state increased from 87 to 90 percent. 20.30 crores were spent on institutional deliveries and free treatment for children up to one year of age. Dialysis centers were opened in district hospitals and civil hospitals of Palampur, Nurpur and Paonta Sahib of Kullu, Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur, Chamba and Shimla. Dialysis facility in these centers is being provided free of cost to families below the poverty line. Apart from this, these services are also available in Dharamshala, Mandi and Solan. Telemedicine facility has been started in Pangi and various other 50 centers of district Chamba for the purpose of providing health related counseling to the people of remote and geographically difficult areas of the state. The Chief Minister's Health Scheme was launched for the health check-up of the youth in the age group of 18 to 30 years, so that the health risks could be avoided in the future by conducting preliminary screening. For the convenience of cancer patients, chemotherapy facility has been started at District Hospital Bilaspur, Kullu, Mandi, Hamirpur, Una, Solan, Dharamshala, Chamba and civil hospitals Rohru and Rampur. Chemotherapy was provided to 780 cancer patients in these hospitals.
Under the old age care program, 33 physiotherapy units have been set up at various places in the state, where various facilities are being provided free of cost to senior citizens. The honorarium of 7707 ASHA workers providing services in the state was increased from Rs 1000 to Rs 1500. Above 65 years of age and B.P.L. Smile Project was launched to provide free artificial teeth to family members. Under this project, 7000 artificial teeth were applied to the people. Construction of 100-bed Maternal Infant Center Hospital at Kamla Nehru Hospital in Shimla has been completed. E-health cards were made for about four lakh people above 30 years of age under prevention programs like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, respiratory diseases, mental health, blindness and deafness etc. Free medicines and other facilities were provided to 4,64,867 beneficiaries under Janani Shishu Suraksha Yojana. Hospital dedicated to the 300-bed facility at the Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College, Nerchowk. Trauma center was also established in the hospital with various test facilities.
At present, out of 1230 AYUSH medical institutes and medical health centers, Yoga programs were started in 471 Ayurveda health centers every Friday. So far, about 26 thousand people have benefited from this program. 13 multi-purpose camps were organized in the state, in which 1346 patients were screened free of cost and were provided free medicines. AYUSH has adopted 18 welfare clinics Bal Ashram, Balika Ashram, Old Age Home, etc. under the wellness scheme, where free medical facilities and medicines are being provided. In addition, 1712 schools have been adopted under the School Adoption Program. On June 21, 2019, International Yoga Day was celebrated at Shimla's Ridge and all district headquarters, in which around 68 thousand people participated.
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A campaign for the prevention of anemia was started through AYUSH, under which the program was started in the first phase at Theog in Shimla district, Karsog in Mandi and Kasauli development blocks in Solan. Now, anemia prevention campaign was also conducted in Bhoranj, Teesa and Bangana.
MANAGING DRUG MENANCE DRONES TO SPOT CANNABIS CROP IN HIMACHAL To counter cannabis cultivation that has been rooted out from most parts but is still prevalent in a few higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh, the state police department is all set to purchase drones that will enable its personnel to spot the remote areas where the drug is being grown illegally. The drones would provide high-end thermal images of cultivation and precisely identify the location, especially in areas cut-off from habitations and not connected by road or pedestrian path. Following a massive drive for eradication of cannabis plantation, which also involves attachment of properties of growers, the cultivation on private land has been reduced to 5 per cent while 95 per cent of the cannabis is grown in high-altitude forest areas in perilous terrain in Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur and Chamba districts. Nepalese labourers, who are accustomed to trekking and farm activities in harsh and hostile terrain, are engaged in growing cannabis in far-flung areas. For the first time, diesel-operated bush cutters were being provided to the police to root out the cannabis shrubs. An amount of Rs 15 lakh will be made available to the police for engaging manpower and machinery for eradication of cannabis. Rs 5 lakh each would be allotted to Kangra, Mandi and Shimla zones. The cultivation of poppy has also witnessed a significant decline and dipped to less than 5 per cent as it requires a suitable climate and cannot be grown in isolation without care. As per a national survey conducted by the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, New Delhi, the prevalence of use of charas/ganja is 1.2 per cent in India and 3.2 per cent in Himachal. The problem is grave and has assumed alarming proportions over a period of time as the number of drug addicts and people involved in illegal drug trade has increased phenomenally. As many as 500 panchayats in the state are involved in opium and cannabis cultivation and it being a lucrative illegal business, locals were falling prey to it. Cultivation areas Kullu district: Malana, Manikaran, Tosh Kutla, Banjar, Sainj, Anni-Khanag region, Malandar Thach, Avgal Thach, Bhelang, Thisco, Waichin, Magic, Neeramg, Chanderkhani Pass, Fauzal, Kathi Kukdi Mandi district: Chauhar, Bali Chowki (Thachi and Dider Jhamach), Gada Goshaini (Seraj region) Other areas: Churah, Salooni, Bharmour in Chamba district; Bara Bhangal in Kangra; Pulwal, Gyan Kot, Shillai and Rajgarh in Sirmaur and remote areas of Rohru, Chopal and Dodra Kwar in Shimla
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DRUG FREE HIMACHAL
The mobile app “Drug Free Himachal”, launched by Chief Minister received over 750 inputs regarding selling and use of drugs. As the app does not reveal the identity of the complainant, more people are coming forward to report the illegal activities. The app enables the complainants to report the suspects’ name, phone numbers, locations, photographs and any other available information without disclosing their identity and the complainant can inform the police about the drugs consignments, storage places, sale of drugs and persons involved in peddling. The information is received at the centre set up by the police who inform the nearest police post and patrol vehicles and wherever the information is available, anti-social elements are nabbed. The police have got significant inputs on peddlers eyeing educational institutions. The response to the app is good as it does not require the complainants to identify themselves and just provide the information People avoid reporting such crimes due to lengthy and time-consuming process of going to police station, identifying them and filing complaints but with the app, there is no such requirement. There were instances when people were aware of illegal activities in their neighbourhood but were scared to be identified and ignored informing the police but now they are comfortably sharing inputs. The app also provides information on de-addiction and rehabilitation centres, drug effects, symptoms to watch out among children, facts about narcotics, jail term and advice for relatives. The Cabinet decided to set up five Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts in Bilaspur, Solan, Kullu, Shimla and Nurpur in Kangra district for facilitating and treatment of affected people.
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INITIATIVES IN HEALTH SECTOR:-
FIT INDIA MOVEMENT The Himachal Pradesh Government has decided to set up modern outdoor gyms at public places to connect the masses with the Fit India Movement. As part of the State Government''s initiative, recreational equipments for children and modern outdoor gyms would be set up at identified parks and public places of Dharamshala. Outdoor gyms would be set up at a cost of Rs 2 crore through the Dharamshala Municipal Corporation. Launched by Prime Minister on National Sports Day in New Delhi on August 29, the movement is a nationwide initiative to encourage people to remain healthy by including physical activities and sports in their daily lives. POSHAN ABHIYAN AWARD Himachal Pradesh has won three national awards under the Poshan Abhiyan, the awards of which were given by Women and Child Development Minister. The award is given to the States, Districts, Blocks and Anganwadi Workers for their contributions in scaling up the Poshan Abhiyaan and ensuring that it reaches every household in the country. Himachal Pradesh was selected for three national awards including convergence and community mobilization, ICDS-CAS and overall excellence in Poshan Abhiyan. The state has received total award money of Rs. 2.25 crore for these awards. The state government is implementing Poshan Abhiyan with utmost dedication to achieve the goal of healthy society and a strong nation.
It was also agreed to start tele-medicine facility in Civil Hospital Bharmour in Chamba district through a tie-up with Apollo hospitals to provide specialized health care facilities to the people of the area. HIMCARE
With the innovative efforts of the Himachal Government for families not being included in Ayushman Bharat or other medical reimbursement scheme, Himcare Scehme has been launched by the state Govt. Under Himcare scheme the rates of premium have been determined by the state government. Under this, no premium is taken from registered under BPL (registered with Ayushman Bharat Yojana) and under MGNREGA which has worked 50 days or more for the last year. Apart from this, single women, more than 40 per cent Divyang, senior citizens above 70 years of age, Anganwadi worker-assistants, Asha Worker, Mid-day meal worker, (employees of government, autonomous institutions, society, board and corporation) need to pay only 365 Rs and outsourced employee and the person above who is not a regular government employee or retired employee, need to pay 1000 Rs make a card under the scheme Achievement till now:
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More then 5.50 lakh people have been registered under Himcare and 53211 patients have been treated free of cost. Under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme,the beneficiary family is being provided a benefit of up to Rs 5 lakh per annum. No age limit has been set for this. The beneficiary can get the benefit of the scheme in any registered hospital throughout the country. Under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, about 1800 treatment procedures have been included in the state, including day-care surgery. Achievements: 42.17 Crores have been spent providing free treatment to 42956 patients
CHIEF MINISTER HEALTH RELIEF FUND: In order to get assistance under Chief Minister Medical Assistance Fund, the beneficiary will have to apply in the office of Chief Minister. For this, the treatment estimation certificate, ration card or BPL card, Prime Minister Jan-Health scheme card, Chief Minister State Health Care Scheme card, Universal Health Protection Card (if beneficiary is eligible in these schemes), identity card, copies of verified bills (if the beneficiary has already taken her treatment) Such documents must be submitted besides this there are so many other schemes that the state govt. have launched to benifit the deprived and special focus is to improve the infra of existing medical colleges and open more medical institutions in the state.
The cabinet approved the implementation of Mission Antodaya with the aim of giving employment package to the families who are going through financial hardship through various schemes of Central and State Government. For this purpose, the Rural Development Department will survey one lakh families and try to know whether these families are benefiting through various schemes. In the second phase, the economic status of these families will be assessed while in the third phase, efforts will be made to benefit them through various schemes. Successful results of "Atal Aashirwad Yojana" started by the Himachal government led by Chief Minister have started coming. Under this scheme, in addition to the amount of Rs 700 given for delivery in a medical institute, a "new baby kit" worth Rs 1500 is also being given to all hospital-born newborns. all the children of the state who are born in a government hospital will get benefits under this scheme. Under the Atal Aashirwad Yojana, a baby kit of Rs 1500 is being provided free of cost to all newborn children born in the hospital. The number of beneficiaries of the scheme has so far crossed 38,889. It is noteworthy that the state government is already providing women a co-operative amount of Rs 700 at the time of their delivery to promote institutional delivery. Earlier, this was given only to the mother, but now the new state child is also being provided a "Baby Kit" of 1500 rupees for free. Only children born in a government hospital will get these benefits.
INITIATIVES IN EDUCATION SECTOR:-
SCHOOL EDUCATION QUALITY INDEX (SEQI) The hill state with vast educational infrastructure has slipped one place in the overall performance and rank in the first School Education Quality Index (SEQI) survey conducted by NITI Aayog in spite of better performance under key parameters.
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Among the 20 large states, 18 improved their overall performance between 2015-16 and 2016-17 and the average improvement in the 18 states is 8.6 per cent. Many states improved their overall performance score but showed a decline in rank points because the states like Haryana, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha improved their overall performance score by 18.5, 16.8, 13.7 and 12.4 percentage points, outpacing the others. Himachal improved its performance from 58.1 per cent to 62.8 per cent but slipped from fourth to fifth place. Only Karnataka and Uttarakhand experienced a decline in their overall performance score and rank between 2015-16 and 2016-17. The base year for the study was 2015-16 while 2016-17 was taken as the reference year. AIM OF THE SURVEY SEQI has been developed to evaluate the performance of states and UTs in the school education sector. It aims at bringing the focus to education policy by providing states and UTs with a platform to identify their strengths and weaknesses and undertake requisite course corrections or policy interventions. PARAMETERS The performance was judged on outcome parameters like learning outcome, access outcome, infrastructure and facilities for outcome and equity outcome. The index seeks to institutionalize a focus on improving education outcome with respect to learning, access, equity and governance.
HIMACHAL STATE PERFORMANCE Under the outcome category, Himachal is in seventh place with score of 58 per cent while Karnataka leads the large states with a score of 81.9 per cent and Uttar Pradesh was at the bottom with the lowest score at 34.1 per cent. Himachal also improved its performance from 47.7 per cent to 54.6 per cent under the Governance Processes Aiding Outcome category but stood at 13th place while Kerala was on the top with 79 per cent and Jharkhand had the lowest rank with 21 per cent. Twelve large states improved their score on the infrastructure and facilities outcome domain and Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh improved their score by more than five percentage points. Under the Equity Outcome Domain, the score for Uttarakhand, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat decreased by more than 10 percentage points. The change in score ranged from a 25.6 percentage points increase for Andhra Pradesh to a 26.8 percentage point decrease for Uttarakhand. In Himachal, the variation was only minus 0.4 per cent from 61.5 per cent to 61.1 per cent. STUDENT POLICE CADET ( SPC) PROGRAMME Himachal state has launched 'Student Police Cadet Programme'. The programme envisages inculcating respect for the laws, practice discipline and civic sense, and develop empathy for vulnerable sections of the society. A mobile app on ‘Drug Free Himachal’ and ‘Nasha Nivaran toll free helpline-1908’ were also launched . Anyone can register complaint against drug peddler through this mobile app.
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The schools of Himachal Pradesh Government have implemented the Student Police Cadet Scheme (SPC), which was first developed and launched in Kerala in 2010. Aided by the Government of India, 60 schools will be covered in a phased manner. Five schools will be selected from each district. Himachal is the sixth state to implement the scheme after Kerala, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, and Rajasthan. The major objectives of the program are to inculcate a sense of Patriotism, Open-mindedness, Large-heartedness, Inclusiveness, Capability, and Effectiveness (POLICE). Student Police Cadet (SPC) Programme Ministry of Home Affairs sponsored Student Police Cadet (SPC) Programme was launched nationally in Gurugram, Haryana. The programme aims to build bridge between Police and larger community through school students by inculcating values and ethics in them through classes in school and outside.
The programme focuses on students of class 8th and 9th. It will be implemented first in government schools, in both urban and rural areas and later expanded to private schools. It takes special care to ensure that it does not increase workload of the students. It does not have any prescribed text book and also any exam. Only one class is proposed in a month under its schedule. Unique Features of SPC Project An association between the educational and security frameworks of a state, that trains and encourages youth to develop respect for law and abiding by law as a way of life. Uses existing network, infrastructure and leadership qualities of Police to supplement the physical, mental and educational development of youth. Empowers school communities to create safe school environments and confident youth willing to react against social evils. Stimulates parents and community leaders to work with police in creating safer communities. Scope of the Programme Crime prevention and control: Topics covered under it include road safety, fight against social evils, community policing, safety of women and children, fight against corruption and disaster management. Values and ethics: Topics covered under it include values and ethics, empathy and sympathy, tolerance, patience, attitude, respect for elders, team spirit and discipline. Handbook: Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) with support of National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has prepared handbook for imparting instructions. It will also enable learning through group discussions and audio- visual mediums. Implementation: It will be steered by state level committee headed by Principal Secretary, Home Department with Principal Secretary, Education and Director General of Police (DGP) as members. Besides, similar committee will be formed at district level, headed by District Magistrate with District Inspector of Schools and Superintendent of Police (SP) as members. Funding: Central Government has released amount worth Rs.67 crores to states for implementation of programme. Besides, amount of Rs 50,000 has been earmarked for each school for educational aids, training and contingency. The government has decided to provide scholarships amounting to Rs 10,000 each every year under Mukhya Mantri Bal Uddhar Yojana to 10 boys and 10 girls of childcare institutions registered and funded under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.The scholarship is
GURUJI’S KIRPA, SNM IAS STUDY GROUP WEBSITE: www.snmiasacademy.com meant for those who secure top two positions in the merit list (separate for boys and girls) in annual examinations of 8th, 9th, 10th, 10+1and 10+2 standards. The Cabinet also decided to procure and distribute 9700 laptops to the meritorious students of class 10th and 12th under the Srinivasa Ramanujan Student Digital Yojana for the year 2017-18 and 2018-19.
INITIATIVES FOR SOCIAL INCLUSION:-
DISABILITY QUOTA One supernumerary MPhil and PhD seat will be created in all departments of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) for persons with disabilities from 2020-21 academic session. HPU is the first university in the North to take the “historic” decision that would go a long way in bringing the persons with disabilities into mainstream and making higher education accessible to them. 5 per cent reservation for the disabled students was implemented up to postgraduate level as there were 40 seats in departments but a problem was being faced in PhD and MPhil where number of seats was less than 20. The High Court had stopped the running roster in admissions for the disabled. ‘HALFWAY HOMES’ FOR MENTALLY CURED PERSONS The State Government would fund for establishing ‘Halfway Homes’, less restrictive transitional living facilities, to ensure the well being of persons who have recovered from the ailment of mental illness. A meeting was organized by Social Justice & Empowerment department to chalk out a road map for setting up rehabilitation homes for people who have recovered from mental illness and are still in hospitals. The State Government would fund the Non Governmental Organisations for setting up of rehabilitation homes for persons who have recovered from mental illness. The Social Justice and Empowerment department has proposed to set up at least two Rehabilitation Homes in the State. Due to social stigma, the persons, who are fit to be discharged, are forced to live in different mental hospitals and institutes. Setting up of these homes would provide required healthy environment for such persons. INCLUSIVE EDUCATION IN HP UNIVERSITY Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) will be the first one in the country to have its own policy for persons with disabilities. A committee, constituted by the Vice-Chancellor, will prepare the draft policy document which will be implemented after the approval of the Executive Council (EC). The proposed policy document will incorporate all legislative provisions for students, employees and teachers, apart from the relevant judgments of the Supreme Court and HP High Court. It will benefit all stakeholders, including students, teachers and employees of the university and affiliated colleges. HP University has taken a number of steps to facilitate persons with disabilities. The website of the university has now been accessible to the disabled persons.
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A library with computers and talking software is functional and installation of dozen more computers for visually impaired is in the pipeline. As many as 14 ramps and 12 lifts are proposed to facilitate specially abled employees. To restore self-confidence and dignity of minor survivors of rape and abuse, Himachal Pradesh government has decided to start a scheme for rehabilitation of such persons. Under the scheme, intensive counselling up to six months would be provided to the minors concerned as well as their family members through professional counsellors. In addition to it, financial assistance of Rs 7,500 per month would also be given to the minor measure. The attempt would be made to ensure financial security, skill upgradation, rehabilitation and livelihood support for the victims. SCHEMES LAUNCHED FOR EMPOWERMENT OF PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS
Chief Minister has launched three new rural development schemes aimed at empowering people of rural areas.
These include upliftment under Mukhyamantri Gram Kaushal Yojana, Antodaya Mission and sympathetic treatment of women during menstruation (Develop Empathy for Menstruing Women Through Information) ie "Devi". The Mukhyamantri Gram Kaushal Yojana will encourage the craftsmen and artisans in the state to conserve traditional arts, handicrafts and handlooms as well as motivate the youth to know and understand these traditional arts. 5000 extremely poor families and 95 thousand BPL families will be included in the uplift scheme under Antyodaya Mission program based on the recommendation of Deputy Commissioners. Under the "Devi" program, women will be made aware about cleanliness. It was decided to increase the financial assistance being provided to the eligible families under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Rural and Chief Minister Housing Scheme by 20 thousand rupees. After this decision, the beneficiaries will get Rs 1.50 lakh instead of Rs 1.30 lakh. Similarly, under the Mukhyamantri Awas Murtam Yojana, financial assistance of Rs 35 thousand will be provided instead of 25 thousand.
INITIATIVES IN GENDER INCLUSION:-
EK BUTA BETI KE NAAM On the occasion of 95th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratan Atal Bihari Vajpayee Chief Minister formally launched ‘Ek Buta Beti Ke Naam’ from the premises of Vajpayee's house at Prini in Manali, Kullu district. Under this scheme, five tree saplings would be presented to the families of newly born girl child alongwith other kit. CM presented five deodar saplings to the mothers of newly born girl child, besides twenty kilograms vermi-compost, five tree guards and name plate of the girl child to the family members.
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For the convenience of the people and to improve the government’s functioning, state is providing most of the services online. Himachal Pradesh has become the first state to online the family register.
The state has enhanced the marriage grant under Mukhya Mantri Kanyadaan Yojna from existing Rs 40,000 to Rs 51,000 to the destitute girls and women or their parents and guardians for marriage including inmates of Nari Sewa Sadan and Nari Niketan. Government has increased the annual income limit of family from existing Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000 for availing loan facility up to Rs. 1,50,000 by women through Mahila Vikas Nigam to start their self employment ventures. The state government has decided to give exemption in examination entrance fee to women candidates in the competitive examinations of Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission and Himachal Pradesh Staff Selection Commission.
The fees for various competitive examinations conducted by the HPPSC and the HPSSC vary from Rs 500 to Rs 1,500. MUKHYMATRI GRAHINI YOJANA The state government is working for the benefit of every section of society. The government has started schemes which are benefiting the elderly, youth, women and all sections. "Mukhyamantri Grihani Suvidha" scheme is prominent among the women. Now LPG cylinders are being made available to every household. and the idea of smoke-free Himachal is taking actual shape. The scheme is providing financial assistance to the housewives of the families for deposits of LPG cylinders and gas stoves which are not included in the "Ujjwala Yojana". With this, all the families of Himachal will have the facility of LPG connections. Mukhyamantri Grihani Suivdha will play an important role in that. It was approved to provide one additional free refill cylinder to the beneficiaries of ‘Ujjawala Grihini Suvidha Yojna’ launched in the state after merger of Himachal Grihini Suvidha Yojna and Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojna, benefiting over two lakh families. Himachal has become the first state in the country where every household has an LPG connection.
INITIATIVES IN SOCIAL SECURITY:-
JOINT COORDINATION PANEL FOR PENSIONERS Himachal Pradesh Government would soon constitute a Joint Coordination Committee for speedy disposal of problems of pensioners of the state. Effective steps would also be taken to constitute Pensioners’ Kalyan Board in the state. The present State Government has provided financial benefits of Rs 5,000 crore to employees and pensioners of the State during last two years. Pensioners and employees were backbone of the government as they play a vital role in effective implementation of policies and programs for development of the state. Today, Himachal has
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emerged as model state for other hill states of the country and pensioners and employees have played a crucial role in this. The age limit for receiving social security pension for senior citizens was reduced from 80 to 70 years. At present, 3,56,563 senior citizens are being provided enhanced pension at the rate of Rs 1,500 per month against the earlier Rs 850. Appropriate steps would be taken to provide cashless medical facility to the employees and pensioners of the state. State government has launched Him Care scheme for families not covered under Ayushman Bharat scheme of the Government of India. It provides for free treatment up to Rs. Five lakh per family. So far, about 45,282 patients have availed the facility of this scheme and Rs. 51 crore 33 lakh have been spent till now. He said that Rs. 100 crore have been spent for treatment of more than one lakh people under Ayushman Bharat and Him Care in the state, besides this Rs. 40 crore have been spent under Chief Minister relief fund for providing free medical treatment facility to the people. Provision of providing Rs 2,000 per month has been made under Sahara Yojana to provide relief and care to economically week families suffering from serious diseases like cancer, epilepsy etc. The state contribution under New Pension Scheme has been enhanced to 14 percent from 10 percent benefitting about 80,000 employees. HIMACHAL PRADESH LOK TANTRA PRAHARI SAMMAN RASHI YOJNA-2019
Those arrested in Himachal Pradesh during emergency in 1975 would now get Rs 11,000 per month as the state Cabinet in has approved to implement Himachal Pradesh Lok Tantra Prahari Samman Rashi Yojna-2019. The cabinet has decided to provide Himachal Pradesh Lok Tantra Prahari Samman Rashi under Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) and Defence of India Rule (DIR) to the people who took active participation for safe guarding the democracy and preserving the fundamental rights of the people from the period between 25 June, 1975 to 21 March, 1977. The Cabinet has decided to provide Rs. 11,000 per month to all such beneficiaries under this scheme. SKILL DEVELOPMENT Special focus is being given to skill development of the youth in the State so that they can be made eligible for employment by providing necessary training. One Lakh youth to be trained. Special focus is being given to skill development of the youth in the State so that they can be made eligible for employment by providing necessary training. Presently, three schemes i.e. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Asian Development Bank-funded Himachal Pradesh Skill Development Project (HPSDP) and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Kaushalya Vikas Yojana are being implemented in the State. Under these schemes, about one lakh youth from the State will be trained to get employment. 341 trainees already have been given employment: Under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, first installment of Rs. 21.56 crore of has been received. This will provide employment skills to about 50,000 youth. Under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam (HPKVN) has been entrusted
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with the task of training 22 training service providers. 22000 youths are being provided training. Training completed by approximately 2340 trainees, 341 trainees has also been given employment. FINANCIAL INCLUSION FOR URBAN POOR FAMILIES Under Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana, 2,293 self-help groups (SHGs) have been constituted for urban poor households in the state out of which 1,780 have been provided with revolving fund. As many as 103 Area Level Federation have also been formed, out of which 74 have been provided with revolving fund. For setting up small industries, 1,646 beneficiaries have been provided loan of Rs 22.15 crore at a low interest rate and 424 SHGs given loans worth Rs 6.13 crore under this scheme, while 4282 beneficiaries have been provided training in various trades and 813 beneficiaries have been given employment under this scheme. Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NULM) has been very effective in socio-economic upliftment of urban poor households. Under this scheme these families are imparted training along with providing financial assistance for gainful self- employment, so that they could live a respectful life. The scheme has proved a boon for urban street vendors. Under this scheme, a survey has been conducted for urban street vendors in all 54 urban bodies of the state. TRIBAL WELFARE ADMINISTRATION Himachal Government was giving special thrust on development of tribal areas of the State so that they could develop at par with the other areas of the State. On 47th meeting of Tribal Advisory Council (TAC), several policy decisions were taken by the Council since Single Line Administration had been adopted to solve various issues of the tribal people. The Council was constituted by 1977 by the then Janta Party Government and its first Meet was held in 1978. Nine percent of the State budget has been earmarked for Tribal Sub Plan for overall development of the tribal areas. Rs 904 crore Plan and Rs 831 crore Non Plan allocations have been made under the Tribal Sub Plan during the current financial year. Rs 144.17 crore has been earmarked for construction of buildings, roads and bridges, Rs 169.37 crore for education sector, Rs 99.22 crore for health sector and Rs 59.54 crore for irrigation and water supply schemes in the tribal areas. The Government was ensuring that regular helicopter sorties were being carried out to facilitate the people of the tribal areas. The State Government had also taken up the matter for providing subsidy on helicopter services for tribal areas during the year 2018-19 with the Tribal Affairs Ministry, GoI and Rs 4 crore subsidy was received by the Government. The Union Tribal Development Ministry had provided an assistance of Rs 70 crore to the State for various developmental activities in the tribal areas during the year 2018-19. Under the Border Area Development Programme the State Government had succeeded to get additional amount of Rs 10 crore during the year 2017-18 and Rs 8.45 crore during the year 2018-19.
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During the year 2019-20 under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, Special Central Assistance of Rs 67 crore have been provided by the Union Government to the State. The State Government had also succeeded in sanctioning of three Eklavya Model Residential Schools for the tribal areas of the State which have been opened in Bharmour, Pangi and Lahaul. The Tribal Affairs Ministry, GoI would provide Rs 56 crore for construction of the buildings of these schools out of which Rs 33.66 crore have been received till date. State Government had also provided tele-medicine facility for Bharmour and Pangi tribal areas for which the Union Government had provided Rs 2 crore as special assistance during the year 2018-19 and for this year Rs 1.74 crore have been approved. Tele-medicine facility had already been started at Keylong, Kaza and Pooh to facilitate the tribal people. A Tribal Bhawan was being constructed at Rampur with a cost of Rs 6.79 crore to facilitate the tribal people of Kinnaur and Spiti.
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