Free power up to 125 units for all, no water bill in villages: CM
Had promised free electricity up to 60 units in the budget; also announces 50% relaxation in bus fare for women
DHARAMSHALA: Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Friday announced a 50% relaxation in fare in HRTC buses for women, free power to all up to 125 units, and no water bill in rural areas of the pollbound hill state.
Jai Ram was presiding over the 75th state-level Himachal Day function in Chamba .
Greeting the people of the state on the occasion, the CM said that women will get 50% discount on their travel in Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC). “All consumers will get 125 units of free electricity. The decision will benefit about 11.5 lakh consumers while putting ₹250 crore extra burden on the state exchequer annually,” he added. Earlier in his budget speech, the chief minister had announced 60 units of free electricity.
“The rural families will also get free water and financial benefits up to ₹30 crore,” he said.
Jai Ram said the state had gone through tough times during the pandemic, but the situation was brought under control with wholehearted support of the people.
He said that the state government has focused on bringing positive changes in the lives of people and ensuring rapid and balanced development of Himachal.
“We have lowered the age limit for old-age pension to 60 years and ₹1,300 crore is being spent on social security schemes,” he added.
Janmanch, the state government’s flagship public grievances redressal programme, has helped in solving the problems faced by people on their doorsteps and till date in 25 Jan Manch events, 3.41 lakh complaints have been settled, he said.
He said the CM Grihini Suvidha Yojana has covered the families left out of Ujjwala scheme and 3.25 eligible households have been provided with free gas connections. Jai Ram said that his government had started ‘HIMCARE’ scheme in January 2019, under which five members of a beneficiary family were being provided with free treatment facility up to ₹5 lakh per year.
The CM also listed various other schemes launched by his government which he claimed have helped bring a change in the lives of Himachalis.
He also presented civil services award to Kullu administration for starting online library facility during the pandemic, National Health Mission for its overall role in vaccination drive and Kinnaur administration for its achievement in vaccination drive.