Shimla, April 15 (NationPress) In celebration of the 79th Himachal Day, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 for all qualified women in the remote Kinnaur district, along with the resolution of gratuity and leave encashment dues for retired Class IV employees.

During the state-level event held in Reckong Peo, the Chief Minister raised the national flag and observed a salute from the march past. The parade, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Umeshwar Rana, included units from the Sixth Indian Reserve Battalion, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the district police, and the Second Indian Reserve Battalion (Women).

In his address, the Chief Minister extended greetings to the citizens of the state and paid homage to the first Chief Minister, Y.S. Parmar, and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, acknowledging their roles in the state's formation.

On this significant occasion, he declared that all eligible women in Kinnaur would receive a ‘samman nidhi’ of Rs 1,500 under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana. Moreover, he announced plans to connect all government facilities, educational institutions, and residences in Reckong Peo with a centralized geothermal heating system.

In addition, he allocated Rs 8 crore for establishing a traffic tunnel to connect Taranda village and upgrading the High School in Choltu to a senior secondary school featuring the CBSE curriculum. The Polytechnic College of Kinnaur, currently located in Rohru, will soon relocate to Urni. He stated that the Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School, which is under construction in Reckong Peo, will be completed in six months.

CM Sukhu announced the initiation of the historic 66 KV Pooh-Kaza transmission line project, covering 125 km with 495 towers, at an investment of Rs 415 crore. This project is expected to benefit around 17,500 residents of Kinnaur and those in the Spiti Valley. He mentioned that the survey for the 45-km-long Sumdo-Kaza line as part of this project has already been completed.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister revealed that border trade with China through Shipki-La would resume on June 1, marking a significant milestone for the government. Discussions are ongoing with the Union Government regarding the commencement of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Shipki-La, with positive progress being made.

CM Sukhu also announced the cancellation of the three percent salary deferment for Class I and Class II officers. He assured that the pending gratuity and leave encashment for retired Class IV employees, who retired between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021, would be settled by May, with an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore.

He mentioned that the temporary deferment of 30 percent and 20 percent in salaries for the Chief Minister, ministers, MLAs, the Chief Secretary, the DGP, and senior officials would remain in effect.

The Chief Minister also announced that all eligible non-gazetted officers of the state police would receive one honorary higher rank upon their retirement.

“Our government is dedicated to ensuring respect for police personnel who serve with integrity and commitment. I believe this initiative will invigorate the police force,” concluded the Chief Minister.