PAONTA SAHIB(HP):  The State-level function of 62nd Independence Day was celebrated at the Sikh holy town Paonta Sahib in District Sirmour in the presence of large number of dignitaries and people from different parts of the adjoining states of Uttrakhand and Haryana.

Chief Minister of Himachal Pardesh Prem Kumar Dhumal unfurled the National Flag, inspected the parade and took salute from the contingents of Himachal Pradesh Police, dressed in new attraction uniform, Himachal Home Guards, NCC Cadets and Scouts Band in an impressive march past.  Vimukt Ranjan D.S.P. commanded the parade.

The  Independence Day was celebrated throughout the State with great enthusiasm today. The National flag was unfurled, contingents of the Himachal Pradesh Police, Himachal Pradesh Home Guards, N.C.C. cadets etc. took part in the parade and the celebrations were witnessed by a large number of people from all walks of life, who thronged the venue in their traditional costumes. Variety cultural programmes were presented to mark the celebrations.

Chief Minister greeted the people of the country especially of Himachal Pradesh and addressed them through the large assembly of people at the venue of State level function at Paonta Sahib where he anncouned release of 6 percent Dearness Allowance to the three lakh employees and pensioners of the State to be paid from January, this year, benefiting them to the tune of Rs. 225 crore during current financial year alone. He said that on coming to power the State Government had also released interim relief of 5 percent benefiting them to the tune of Rs. 300 crore. He said that the State Government had revoked the suspension and termination of the employees politically victimized by the previous Government on returning to power.

He said that 26,000 posts were being filled up in government Sector alone during current financial year, which included over 18,000 posts in education sector alone. He said that the daily wagers were provided 33 percent hike in their wages from first January this year increasing their wages from Rs. 75 to Rs. 100, by Rs. 25 in one go benefiting about 5 lakh families in the State, as the same would be applicable to the people registered in issued job guarantee cards under the Rashtriya Grameen Rozgar Guarantee Yojna, for being the minimum wages.

Chief Minister said that Home Guards had been rendering yeoman service during emergency and normally supplementing the law and order maintenance duties of the law enforcing agencies. He announced increase of Rs. 20 in their daily wages enhancing the same from Rs. 130 to Rs. 150 benefiting about 4500 Home Guards to the tune of Rs. 3 crore annually.

Dhumal  said that State Government had granted free traveling facilities to all women to celebrate "Raksha Bandhan" and "Bhaiya Dooj" to any part of the State in H.R.T.C. buses, besides, working women granted public holiday on both the occasions as also on "Karva Chouth". He announced compassionate employment to the eligible widows of the Government employees who had died while in active service, other things being equal, to rehabilitate such families in suitably dignified manner.

Chief Minister announced remission of the imprisonment by three months under the authority vested in him benefiting 561 convicts and releasing 43 of them on the auspicious day of Independence.
                          
Dhumal  announced the Employees Excellence Award Scheme to the employees doing exemplary and extra-ordinary work while performing their duties. He said that under the scheme the best adjudged employee would be rewarded a cash prize of Rs. 50,000, Certificate and Medal/Memento while a group of employees would be awarded Rs. 2.50 lakh, where every member would be distributed prize money uniformally and in no care would and in no case would exceed the limit of Rs. 50,000 per individual.

Chief Minister launched the ambitious "Atal Bijli Bachat Yojna" by distributing free CFL bulbs to the domestic consumers.

Chief Minister said that former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh late Dr. Y.S. Parmar had envisaged prosperous and self-reliant Himachal Pradesh, the dream, which State Government was committed to realize. He said that the State government had got Paonta Sahib-Rajban-Shillai-Meenus-Hatkoti State highway approved in principle as National Highway by the Planning commission of India.

He said that it would entail an expenditure of Rs. 107 crore. He revealed that the Government of India had agreed in principal to construct the envisioned Pathankot-Jogindernagar-Mandi-Manali-Keylong-Leh broad gauge railway line which involved an expenditure of about Rs. 14,000 crore which was the highest ever in the history of the country. He also revealed that the Government of India has also acceded to the Carbon Credits demand of the State.

Chief Minister announced upgradation of ITI Paonta Sahib to Government Polytechnic to be made operational from next academic session with Electronics- Communication and Mechanical Engineering courses. He announced upgradation of local Civil Hospital to 100 bedded hospital and sanctioned Rs. one crore for infrastructural upgradation, besides, providing additional medical staff to man the same.

Chief Minsiter announced Rs. 50 lakh for creation of Tourists Facilitation Centre at Do-Sadka near Nahan in the holy town of Paonta Sahib. He also assured 6 new G.P.S. and upgrade 6 G.P.S. to Middle, upgrade 3 Govt. High Schools to Senior Secondary Schools in Paonta Sahib Assembly segment.