Himachal awarded best state in health and investment

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Himachal Pradesh has been adjudged best state in the country in health and investment sectors in the category of big states.

Union Minister for Rural Development Mr. Jai Ram Ramesh presented the Best State Awards to chief Minister Mr. Virbhadra Singh in “State of States conclave 2013”, a function held at Hotel Hyatt Regency in New Delhi today.

According to latest report released by India Today in its latest edition released today, Himachal Pradesh has outperformed in Health and Investment Sector among big states of the country during last one year under congress regime in the state.

The state has registered 30% rise in the number of registered doctor in comparison to 10% rise in other states of the country. Its female infanticide ratio has come down to 39 per thousand from 47 per thousand during last one year.

According to latest report Himachal Pradesh has outperformed all the big states on every health indicator. It has a birth rate of 16.2 against the national average of 21.8. Mortality rate is 6.7 compared to 7.1 nationally. Infant mortality rate is around 25 against 44 in the rest of India.

Himachali’s are also expected to live longer with life expectancy at birth being 70 years,  more than for the average Indian. The state has eradicated malaria and brought leprosy cases down to fewer than one per thousand. It has enhanced the health budget by a huge 24 percent for the year 2013-14 in comparison to the year 2012-2013.

Due to generous allocations of budget in health sector by present Congress regime in the state, it has one health sub-centre for every 2,800 people as against the norm of one for every 3,000 for hill states. It has at least one primary health centre for every 13,000 people as against the national norm of one of every 20,000. The government retains most of its doctors through lucrative incentives, and shortage of specialists is likely to be filled by giving government doctors fast-track admission to postgraduate courses the report said.

The ‘geographically challenged , rural hill state’ of Himachal Pradesh, has expended its traditional investments in tourism, floriculture, horticulture, herbal medicine and hydro electronic power to an assortment of hi-tech sectors such as pharmaceuticals, automotive components, cement, FMCG, chemicals, textiles, electronic hardware and information technology.

In the past 12 months alone, the state’s gross capital formation has grown 70 percent as against the national average of 29 percent while industrial workforce has increased by about 20 percent compared to less than 10 percent in other big states.

A stable polity, efficient administration, clean environment, cordial industrial relations, abundant cheap power and high quality infrastructure including good roads have been highlighted for speedy industrial growth of the state during last one year .

The state has set up 42 industrial areas, 17 industrial estates and is planning to develop new industrial quarters at Khandouri in Kangra and Pandoga in Una and Dhobata in Solan district It has also formed an 8,000 bigha land bank comprising both government and private land for setting up new industries.

The state is targeting an annual growth rate of 15 percent with concomitant 9 percent growth in GDP.

The manufacturing sector is likely to contribute at least 25 percent of the state GDP by 2022.

While speaking on this Chief Minister Mr. Virbhadra Singh dedicated this award to the people of the state and said that the state has received award in both small and big state categories in various fields since inception of the award. He said that state has outperformed in various social and economic sectors and added that the award has recognized the work done by the state.

Chief Minister Mr. Virbhadra Singh told that state government has provided a school within the radius of 2 kms. The enrollment at primary level is nearly 100%. The number of education institutions has increased from 331 in 1948 to 15,292 in 2013. He told that state government has been able to drastically reduce drop-out rate especially among SC girls students. The literacy rate has gone up from 4.8 percent in 1948 to 82.80% in 2011 which is much higher than the national average of 74.04%.

The female literacy rate has gone up from 2% to 75.93% and added that the state government made girls education totally free at all levels way back in 1995. The school children up to 12 class are provided free travel in state road transport buses.

Chief Minister Mr. Virbhadra Singh told that in 1948 the number of total health institutions was 88. Today the state has 3841 health institutions. 80% of the health needs are met by the public sector and told that the sex ratio has gone up from 915 to 972.

Chief Minister Mr. Virbhadra Singh told that the state achieved 100% electrification way back in 1988. All 20,690 villages and 14.83 lakh households have been provided uninterrupted quality power.

He added that total road length in the state has gone up 34,647 Kms as against only 288 km in 1948. He said that safe drinking water facility have been provided to all the census villages in the state .

Mr. Virbhadra Singh told 9% plan outlay has been earmarked under tribal sub plan which is much higher than their 5.71% population share to develop these areas at par with other developed areas of the state

Mr. Virbhadra Singh also said that state government has launched Skill Development Scheme, 2013 under which all eligible unemployed registered under the scheme are given an allowance of Rs. 1000/- per month and those having disability of 50% or more are given Rs.1500 per month to enhance their chance of employability in various sectors

He told that the total ban on felling of green tree was imposed in 1986 in the state which has saved forest wealth of about Rs. 1.5 lakh crore and demanded that state should be compensated for saving precious environment of the country

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