SHIMLA: Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary here today. He garlanded the statue of Rajiv Gandhi at Sadbhawana Chowk Chhota Shimla. Interacting media, the Chief Minister said that the present state government was committed to realizing the vision of former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi in the state to uplift the weaker and marginal sections of the society. Recalling his immense contributions, he said that Rajiv Gandhi laid his life for the unity and integrity of the country and laid the groundwork for several transforming initiatives that propelled progress and prosperity of the Nation. He said that Rajiv Gandhi laid a strong foundation for the information technology revolution in the country which was yielding positive outcomes for the present generation and made a provision for 33 percent reservation for women in the Panchayati Raj Institutions by amending the Constitution.
Sh. Sukhu said that the present state government has introduced Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School Yojna in the state to improve the standards of education. He said that in each assembly constituency these schools were being established with modern facilities and other infrastructure to benefit the students residing in the rural areas of the State. He said that the state government was also implementing Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-Up Yojna under which youths would be provided loans to start their avocations. Under the Scheme, unemployed youth were also being offered 50 percent subsidy for purchase of e-taxis.
The Chief Minister also administered a pledge of national unity and integration of the country. Later, he also paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi at H.P. Secretariat and administered the oath of Anti-Terrorism day to the officers and officials on the occasion.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, PCC Chief Pratibha Singh, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, PWD Minister Vikramditya Singh, Chairman, H.P. Tourism Development Corporation R.S. Bali, Mayor, Shimla Municipal Corporation Surender Chauhan, Deputy Mayor, Uma Kaushal, MLA Vivek Sharma, Vice Chairman, State Forest Development Corporation Kehar Singh Khachi, Chairman, H.P. State Cooperative Bank Devender Shyam, Chairman, Kangra Central Cooperative Bank Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Principal Advisor Media to Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan, Vice Chairman, HIMUDA Yashwant Chhajta, former MLA Satpal Raizada and other dignitaries also paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister.