Himachal Pradesh celebrated the 79th Independence Day on Friday with great fervor and gaiety throughout the state. While the state level function was held at Sarkaghat in Mandi district, functions were held at Shimla and district and sub division level.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presided over the state level function at Sarkaghat and at Shimla Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri unfurled the national flag on the Ridge.
The CM unfurled the National Flag, inspected the parade and took the salute from marching contingents of Police, Home Guards, ITBP, and NCC etc.
Addressing a gathering on the occasion the CM said, “It is a matter of concern the phenomena of Global warming has impacted the state very severely causing a great loss of human lives and property; the losses during 2023 natural disaster was over Rs 10000 crore, but the state got an aid of only Rs 1500 crore from the Central government after two years.”
He said , “ Huge losses have occurred in Mandi district during the disasters and the state government has already disbursed Rs 360.42 crore and announced to release Rs 100 crore more, besides launching a Rs 3000 crore project for the disaster mitigation and protecting lives .”
The Chief Minister expressed concern over the growing menace of drugs among the youths and said, “The state government has taken several steps to check the problem and implemented the PIT NDPS Act and announced an anti- drug volunteer scheme to create awareness among youths and help in curbing drug addiction and form anti drug committees at village level.”
The CM also highlighted the number of jobs given in the government sector, reforms in education and electricity sectors and its earnest effort to keep the recruitment process transparent and curb cheating in exams; besides giving support price to produce of the farmers and welfare schemes being given by other departments.
The Chief Minister said, “The robotic surgery has been introduced at Chamiyana Hospital in Shimla district and will soon be started in other medical colleges.”
He also announced the shifting of Atal Medical and Research University from Nerchowk to Sarkaghat, announced to construct a new bus stand at Sarkaghat, increase bed capacity of Civil Hospital Sarkaghat from 100 to 150 beds and provide land for parking near Shiv Mandir Sarkaghat.
A colorful cultural programme was also presented by various cultural troupes.
The Chief Minister also honoured the participants of the Parade and cultural troupes on the occasion.
MLAs Chandrashekhar, Suresh Kumar, Ranjeet Rana, Dalip Thakur, former Ministers Rangila Ram Rao and Prakash Chaudhary, former Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sohan Lal Thakur, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena and DGP Ashok Tiwari among other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
