DW BUREAU / shimla Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today presided over the "Pragtisheel Himachal: Sthaapna ke 75 Varsh" program at Kumarsain in Theog assembly constituency of Shimla district. He also inaugurated and laid foundation stones of 24 developmental projects worth about Rs 44.83 crore. While addressing a largely attended public meeting at Kumarsain's Durbar Maidan, the Chief Minister announced to upgrade the fire sub-station Theog to a fire station, up-gradation of Polic Post Narkanda to a Police Station, to make a provision of Rs 20 lakh for the beautification of Tanu-Jubbar lake under "Nai Rahein Nai Manzilen" scheme, enhancement of the capacity of Civil Hospital Kumarsain to 50 beds, upgrade Primary Health Center Narkanda to Community Health Center and provide Rs.10 lakh each for Thathal road and Tanu Jubbar-Shila Jan roads. He said that a process would be started to convert Gram Panchayat Kumarsain into Nagar Panchayat with the consent of local people. The remaining work of Rest House at Kangal would be completed at the earliest and necessary formalities would be completed for the establishment of Sub Judge Court. Jai Ram Thakur said that the spirit behind the "Pragtisheel Himachal : Sthaapna ke 75 Varsh" program started by the State Government was pious. "It is everyone's program and gives us an opportunity to remember and express our gratitude to everyone for their contribution in the progress of Himachal," added the Chief Minister. He said that along with the successive leadership, the hard working and honest people of the state had also contributed significantly in the progress of Himachal. He also appreciated the efforts of Satyanand Stokes in making Himachal the apple producing state. The Chief Minister said that the State Government had maintained the pace of development in Himachal, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. He said that India was able to come out of this crisis under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the world's largest vaccination campaign was successfully conducted in India along with the manufacturing of Covid vaccine. Himachal Pradesh was ranked first in the country for hundred percent vaccination of the targeted population. The cooperation and contribution of the people of state during the Covid crisis and the vaccination program was commendable, added the Chief Minister. Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government had taken several initiatives to change the scenario in Himachal as soon as it took charge almost five years ago. From the very first day, the vendetta politics was completed stopped. He said that the state government had always tried to work for the poor and needy people. The age limit for the social security pension without any income criteria was reduced from 80 to 70 years, on the very first day of the government in office and now this had been further reduced to 60 years. He said that at present about 7.50 lakh people are getting this pension, on which about Rs 1300 crore were being spent. While quoting the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Chief Minister said that the State Government had been working with a spirit of benefitting every section of the society and was ensuring that the benefits of welfare schemes reached upto the last person in a row. He said that under the Mukhyamantri Sahara Yojna, more than 20 thousand needy people were being provided assistance amounting to Rs. 3000 per month. About 3.34 lakh women had been provided with free LPG connections under the Mukhyamantri Grihini Suvidha Yojana. (editor@dailyworld.in)