Governor sets agenda for Himachal’s growth

“It will be our endeavour to continue efforts to ensure all-round development,uphold the ideals of peace,prosperity,social justice and move ahead together to improve the social and economic standards of the people,” said Singh,delivering her address on the opening day of the 44-day Budget Session of the Assembly here on Tuesday.

The session,which will have a total of 26 sittings and a 10-day recess,is expected to pass the state’s budget for year 2010-11 and witness a debate on its development initiatives.

Industrial growth,drive to harness the state’s hydro-power potential of 20,000 MW,boost to horticulture produce and a record economic growth of 7.4 per cent are some of the initiatives that drew applause from the governor. “My government has taken effective steps to mobilise additional resources and has resolved to achieve a mission of “Sadak,Shiksha,Swasthya,Swarojgar,Swavalamban and Swabhiman”,she underlined.

In her 80-minute speech,Singh focused on the priority sectors of growth and claimed that the government was giving special emphasis to the implementation of developmental schemes for scheduled castes,scheduled tribes and other backward classes.

She asked the government to make serious efforts to seek extension of the Central industrial package up to 2020 to sustain the state’s industrial growth. The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry has already recommended the case for extension till March,2013.

Urmila Singh also spoke on the initiatives to make Himachal a carbon neutral state and preserve the state’s forest wealth and promote eco-friendly tourism activities. She said home-stay scheme of the tourism had proved a big draw. She sought cooperation of MLAs and the public to improve upon the standards of governance.

Tributes paid to Satyawati
The Himachal Assembly paid rich tributes to the late Satyawati Parmar,former Rajya Sabha member and wife of first chief minister Dr Y S Parmar,who died on February 23 after a prolonged illness. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal recalled her contributions to the state as a member of the territorial council,before the formation of the state in 1966,and later as the PCC president and member of Parliament. He recalled her presence during last year’s function on Dr Parmar’s birthday on August 4 at the Library Hall of the Assembly. Leader of Opposition Vidya Stokes and MLAs Suresh Bhardwaj and Khushi Ram Balnatah too spoke on the occasion. Kush Parmar,son of Dr Y S Parmar and former MLA,thanked all for sharing the family’s grief.