Himachal Assembly Budget Session Highlights: Appointments, Proposals, and More
Shimla, March 12: The Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha is deliberating on various aspects of the development, public service and administration of the state. The current budget session has made important progress in the areas of appointments, the environment, education, health services, and infrastructure.
Himachal appoints 2,561 multi-purpose workers
In a significant move to increase the efficiency of public service delivery, the Himachal Pradesh government has engaged 2,561 multi-purpose workers in various departments, corporations, and boards. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, responding to a question from Manali MLA Bhuvaneshwar Gaur during the Assembly’s question hour, said this. Agnihotri said as many as 2,505 of these appointments have been made in Jal Shakti Department under the para policy. Other than the above, departments such as Agriculture (26), Panchayati Raj (12), Rural Development (10), Planning (5), AYUSH (2) and Information and Public Relations (1) have also received the rest of the appointments. The move is set to strengthen the state’s administrative machinery and result in better delivery of services.
The electric buses will be procured from NABARD
Mukesh Agnihotri, Deputy Chief Minister, also announced the decision of the government to procure electric buses to promote sustainable and eco-friendly transportation in Himachal Pradesh. With the successful bidder already took up the bidding process and the state government has allotted the supply of electric buses to be given through NABARD funding scheme. This initiative is a part of the state’s vision for the carbon reduction of the transport sector, as well as pushing the state’s infrastructure toward sustainability and green practices.
The fund allocated for Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan
Education Minister Rohit Thakur gave details of the financial assistance received by the state under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan with the aim to improve quality of education in the state of Himachal Pradesh. In the past two years, the state has received more than Rs 822 crore from the central government for different educational schemes. Of the total, Rs 421 crore was spent during 2023-24, while the rest Rs 336 crore has been earmarked in the current financial year. Among others, the funds have been used for teacher salaries, free uniforms, vocational education, school infrastructure, sports grants. The government has spent the full amount allocated in its budget and is dedicated to improving the state’s education system, Thakur added.
Healthcare Challenges in Indora and Gangath
Indora MLA Malender Rajan raised the issue of shortage of medical staff in the Indora and Gangath civil hospitals. In a reply, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dhani Ram Shandil confirmed the shortage, stating that 127 posts have been created in these hospitals. Of the 126 posts, while 78 have been filled, there are still 48 vacant posts, including multiple medical officer-level posts. Shandil confirmed to the House that the Government was in the process of recruiting to fill these vacancies and that a recent recruitment drive was already completed in respect of 200 doctors, 1,000 nursing staff and also 28 lab technicians. The minister said the government was focused to develop the health service in far-flung areas and that all the vacant seats in this the hospitals would soon be filled.
A Joke About Asha Kumari’s Name
Former Dalhousie MLA Asha Kumari’s name came up during a lighthearted moment in the session brought up by the health minister. DS Thakur, a Dalhousie MLA, questioned the number of vacant posts in local hospitals to which DS Thakur jested that whenever the Health Minister’s mouth opened, Asha Kumari’s name was being taken on healthcare issues. Thakur said Kumari having lost the elections, it was now the job of the present government to fill the vacancies. The remark drew laughter in the House, which was in the midst of intense debate.
1st Atal Adarsh Schools – Delay in Construction
Atal Adarsh Schools, an ambitious project aimed at establishing model schools in Himachal, has been marred by long delays. The Education Minister Rohit Thakur responding to a question from MLA Vinod Kumar said that the government has given approval for the establishment of these 28 schools, but only three have made it to the story-boarding stage. Construction work is in progress in Dharampur’s Madi, Nachan’s Gudhari, and Kutlehar’s Gaihra. Madi school is completed, while Gudhari and Gaihra schools are 65%-25% constructed. Thakur also assured that the government is working on half of the school’s construction process to ensure that all of them are built on time.
Infrastructure Round-Up: Leo Bypass Road and Lahaul-Spiti
Lahaul-Spiti MLA Anuradha Rana raised a basic infrastructure issue concerning the Leo Bypass road connecting Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti. Calling the road important from a strategic point of view, Public Works minister Vikramaditya Singh said the state has written to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to hand over control of the road but it was yet to receive a response. Singh told the House that he would take up the matter with Union Defense Minister on the matter so that the road is brought under the jurisdiction of BRO for maintenance and development.
The ongoing budget session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly has witnessed a range of significant developments and government announcements highlighting its continued focus on enhancing public services, healthcare, education and infrastructure. Whether it’s hiring multi-purpose workers or buying buses to the introduction of electric buses, the state is moving in a lot of important areas. Although there are serious issues in the healthcare sector and the building of schools, the government has a clear footprint of speaking to practical solutions. As the Assembly session continues, further developments and initiatives are anticipated that will help chart the course of the state’s future growth trajectory.
With the session well underway, the emphasis is on continuing efforts to strengthen public services and address new and emerging challenges, making certain that development reaches all corners of the state, including the remotest and most marginalized areas.
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