Punjab Newsline, Shimla-
Secretary (Planning) Dr. Abhishek Jain while chairing a review meeting of the Aspirational District and Block Programme here today said that success of any scheme depends on how effectively it uplifts the socially and economically disadvantaged sections and ensuring equitable development for all sections of society. He stated that these programmes had been designed to ensure the all-round development of remote and backward areas and these people were being benefitted through various welfare schemes.
He directed the officers to hold quarterly review meetings at the Secretary level to ensure the success of these programmes and also emphasized regular monitoring of progress at the district level.
Dr. Jain informed that the Aspirational District Chamba had been allocated Rs. 25 crore from March 2019 to February 2025 based on its better performance on various composite parameters. Rs. 41.74 crore had been allocated under CSR and seven projects worth Rs. 58.07 crore were being implemented in the district through NHPC, SJVN, and CSR funds.
He further said that Pangi and Tissa blocks of District Chamba, Pooh block of District Kinnaur, Nirmand block of District Kullu and Kupvi and Chauhara blocks of District Shimla had been approved as Aspirational Blocks. For better performance during the September 2023 quarter, Pangi block of District Chamba was allocated an additional Rs. 2 crore and Pooh block of District Kinnaur had been allocated Rs. 3 crore for the year 2024-25. The Chamba district, as an Aspirational District and six Aspirational Blocks of the State were performing well on various indicators.
The Secretary said that the state government was implementing several schemes for the development of remote areas. As a special initiative, Pangi sub-division had been declared the first Natural Farming Sub-Division of the State. This decision would help the people of the region preserve their traditional farming practices. Barley grown naturally in the Pangi area was being procured and the government had fixed a minimum support price of Rs. 60 per kilogram for barley. This was the first-ever such initiative taken for the people of this far-flung region.
The officers from various departments of different districts participated in the meeting.