Himachal Pradesh:MLALAD fund raised to Rs 2 crore

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, while presenting the budget for 2022-23 in the state assembly, announced to increase the old age social security pension from Rs. 1001 to Rs. 1500. Presenting his fifth and last budget for the next financial year of the present government, Thakur on Friday announced to reduce the age limit for receiving such pension from 70 years to 60 years without any income limit. The chief minister also announced to increase the Member of Legislative Assembly Local Area Development Scheme (MLALAD) fund from the existing Rs1.80 crore toRs 2 crores.The MLALAD fund has been increased by Rs. 20 lakh in the last budget before the next Assembly elections scheduled to be held in December. Thakur stated that a total of Rs. 90 lakh increase had been made in the MLALAD fund during his government. The chief minister also announced to increase the discretionary grant for MLAs from 10 lakh to 12 lakh per annum for the next fiscal. Talking about health, the CM declared to create 500 new posts of doctors in the state. Thakur announced that a provision would be made under which Himcare card would need to be renewed after three years instead of every year to avail free health services for various ailments.

-Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Friday said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to strengthen the local bodies in Jammu and Kashmir. The Minister   addressed the valedictory function of three-day Orientation Programme on Urban Governance in New Delhi. Speaking on this occasion, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, the smooth elections to the village councils and the first-ever elections to District Councils after seven decades, conducted in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are a symbol of commitment of the Government to strengthen the local bodies. He said, this three-day workshop of local bodies is a step in that direction which will be followed by a similar program for Srinagar and then other parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The Minister said, there have been efforts to change the political culture since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India in 2014. He said, the Prime Minister has given the mantra of Reform, Perform, Transform and today transparency can be seen in every sphere of governance.

-In Andaman Nicobar Islands, the campaigning for panchayat and municipal elections ends Friday evening. Polling is scheduled on 6th March. A total of 2,97,940 voters will cast their vote on the day of polling at 800 centres across the islands. The campaigning has been peaceful so far and no major violation of Moral Code of Conduct reported. Office of Director, Panchayat and Municipal Election is geared up to conduct polling and counting. Vast arrangements have been made. Over 2500 staff trained for election duty. Police deployed in sufficient number to keep an eye on anti social activities. BJP, INC, TDP, DMK & CPM are contesting local body elections in Andaman and Nicobar with two local parties and Independent candidates. Counting will be done on March 8.

-In Meghalaya, the budget session of Legislative Assembly began on Friday with the address of the Governor Satya Pal Malik at Shillong. During his speech, the Governor extended his greetings to all members of the House and said that as the State celebrates the 50th year of statehood, tribute must be paid to the leaders for their vision, determination and sacrifice which enabled the way for the creation of the State in 1972. The Governor talked about various developmental steps taken up by the Government. He mentioned that there are 38 ongoing projects under the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) with a total project cost of Rs. 802 crore. Some of the key projects being funded under the NLCPR are the Shillong International Centre for Performing Arts and Culture, College of Science and Commerce at Mawphlang and Mahendrganj and the intermediate lane of Rongjeng Mangsang Adokgre road. Regarding the health sector, the Governor said, the State Government has introduced the Meghalaya State Health Policy, 2021 to improve the health system. Infrastructure of several health care centres has been improved under the new policy.  He also informed the House  about the pending border dispute between Meghalaya and Assam and said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed between the Chief Ministers of Meghalaya and Assam on January 29th, 2022 in Guwahati for the resolution of the dispute in six areas.

-Union Minister AYUSH, & Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal has announced a major investment of more than 100 crore rupees to develop the AYUSH Healthcare sector in Nagaland. The investment includes 30 bedded Integrated AYUSH Hospital at Kiphire, 10 bedded AYUSH hospitals each at Mokokchung, Nagaland University in Dimapur & Wokha, and a state-of-the-art Ayurvedic college at Longleng with an estimated cost of  70 crore rupees. He said this while inaugurating the Integrated AYUSH Hospital at Razha Chedema under Kohima District on Friday, Sonowal said, Northeast has an immense potential to become the hub in the AYUSH sector. He said, Nagaland is no exception with tremendous potential be it topography and natural resources, which need to be tapped and explore in scientific manner by applying the traditional skill. He said with the rich knowledge of traditional medicine & natural resources available in the Northeast, it is important that the region seize this opportunity.