Shimla, August 15
The State-level Independence Day function was held at Barsar in Hamirpur district today where Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu hoisted the National Flag and took the salute from the impressive parade presented by various contingents. The parade was led by Parade Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police Pranav Chauhan. Contingents from the State Police, IRB Dhaulakuan, IRB Pandoh, District Police Hamirpur, Haryana Police, Women Police, Home Guards and Traffic Police participated in the parade. Students from Seven Star School, Bani; Government Degree College, Barsar; Bright Sun School, Barsar; and New Bright Sun Senior Secondary School, Barsar also took part in the march-past. The Police Band and Home Guard Band added to the grandeur of the Independence Day celebrations.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced that an additional payment of Rs. 20,000 towards salary arrears would be made to Class-IV employees within this month. He also announced that Class-III pensioners and family pensioners who retired between 2016 and 2021 would receive an additional 35 percent of their pension and family pension arrears this month. Similarly, Class-I and Class-II pensioners and family pensioners would be paid 15 percent of their pension and family pension arrears during the same month. He said that the government would incur an expenditure of Rs. 281 crore on these payments He also announced the opening of 100 new CBSE schools across the state from the next academic session. He further announced that doctors due to retire from this month up to 31 March, 2027, would continue in service and retire on 31 March, 2027.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister said that, in accordance with the state government’s budgetary commitment, the monthly incentive paid to around 9,000 ASHA workers engaged under NHM Himachal Pradesh would be increased from Rs. 5,800 to Rs. 6,800. He announced the implementation of this enhancement. He also announced that employees working under NHM Himachal Pradesh who have completed seven years of service after the rationalisation of their pay would be provided revised pay with effect from 1st April, 2026. Further, in fulfillment of the government’s budgetary commitment, he announced a revised remuneration of Rs. 25,000 per month for outsourced Staff Nurses, Pharmacists, Operation Theatre Assistants and Laboratory Technicians engaged under NHM Himachal Pradesh, and Rs. 18,000 per month for Data Entry Operators. The revised remuneration would be effective from 1st September, 2026. He also announced to fill up 4000 posts of various categories in Jal Shakti Vibhag.
He said that Government employees and pensioners have made an invaluable contribution to the development of the state and our government is committed to safeguarding their interests. We have restored the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for NPS employees and are also extending other benefits to them. He said ‘Our government is sensitive to the concerns of Multi-Task Workers and outsourced employees. We are carefully examining all aspects of their issues and are considering bringing in a policy to provide them with appropriate benefits.’
Chief Minister said that the recently released National Family Health Survey report of the Government of India has highlighted an improvement in the health of women and children in Himachal Pradesh during the tenure of the present state government. He said that while significant progress had been made, there was still scope for further improvement. With this objective, the state government had decided to introduce the Indira Gandhi Matri Shishu Sankalp Yojana to provide better and more nutritious food to mothers and children.
Sukhu said that the state government was now ready to implement the scheme and its pilot phase would commence from 2 October in 21, ICDS Blocks across different districts of the state. After six months, the pilot would be reviewed and based on its outcomes, the scheme would be implemented across the state. He said that under the scheme, the existing nutritional support provided to mothers and women, as well as children in the 6 months to 3 years age group, would be strengthened. The existing provision of rice, pulses, oil, biscuits, panjiri and milk powder would be improved by providing more nutritious and hygienically packaged premix food. In addition, milk or eggs would be provided three times a week, according to the preference of the beneficiaries. The hot-cooked meals provided to children in the 3 to 6 years age group would also be further improved to enhance their nutritional value, he added.
The Chief Minister said that, to ensure transparency and quality, the entire procurement responsibility under the scheme would be entrusted to the district and ICDS Block levels. This would facilitate transparent local procurement and ensure the availability of clean, fresh and quality food items for mothers and children. He said that the objective of the scheme was to strengthen nutritional support at the grassroots level and ensure better health and nutrition outcomes for women and children across Himachal Pradesh.