Shimla, Jan 29 (Reporter) The state government has proposed Rs. 9989.49 for the annual estimated budget plans for the years 2024–25. This was stated by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here on Monday while presiding over the first session of the MLA Priority Meeting with the MLAs from Una, Hamirpur, and Sirmaur districts.The Chief Minister said that the state government was working with a motto to make Himachal self-reliant in the next four years and the most prosperous state in the country in ten years. He exhorted the MLAs to come up with priorities that were in line with the state government's commitment to provide clean, transparent, and accountable administration to the people of the state.Sukhu said that discussion during these meetings would pave the way to further accelerate the development process. He stated that the government was committed to the equitable development of all areas and every section of society. To achieve this, the government has adopted the manifesto of the Congress party as a policy document, the Chief Minister stated, adding that all the ministers, MLAs, and departments were working tirelessly for the effective implementation of the 'Policy Document'.He said that numerous steps have been taken to make Himachal a green energy state in the next two years, and the government has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding worth Rs. 2,000 crore with the World Bank. As per the MoU, work would be carried out under the Hydroelectric and Renewable Energy Development Programme for the next five years.Sukhu said that MLA priorities in general were financed through the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund under NABARD. For the year 2023–24, an amount of Rs. 918.81 crore was sanctioned by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD); besides, 62 works of the Public Works Department and 93 works of the Jal Shakti Department have been sanctioned. He also directed the officials of the Public Works and Jal Shakti Departments to fully utilise NABARD's budget outlay for the years 2024–25 and submit reimbursement claims to the NABARD office before March 15, 2024.The Chief Minister directed the administrative secretaries and heads of departments not to show any laxity in resolving the problems and complaints raised by the MLAs and to give due priority to their valuable suggestions. He further directed the officials to ensure timely clearance of formalities regarding the FCA, the FRA cases, the Gift Deed, etc. to avoid or reduce any delay in the preparation of the detailed project reports of the schemes given by the MLAs. He also directed the concerned departments and the Deputy Commissioner to review the work on MLA priorities every month, the report of which would be sent to the government.The state government was working sincerely for the welfare of all sections of society, including women, youth, farmers, and employees, said Sukhu, adding that the present government was ensuring that its policies and programmes benefit the last person in ed. As a result, we have fulfilled three guarantees in our one-year tenure. We implemented the OPS in the very first cabinet meeting.Under the Start-Up scheme, the state government is providing a 50 percent subsidy to the youth on the purchase of an e-taxi. A portal was also developed for operating e-taxis on a contract basis in all the government offices and has started registration as well. Apart from ensuring that the youth get a fixed income, this scheme would also reduce carbon emissions, he reiterated. He said that the purchase price of milk has been increased by Rs. 6 to increase the income of farmers.The Chief Minister also stated the government has increased the daily wage of MNREGA workers from Rs. 212 to Rs. 240, benefiting nine lakh eligible people in the state, out of which 65 percent were women. In the tribal areas, the daily wage has been enhanced from Rs. 266 to Rs. 294.Sukhu informed us that the state government has established Mukhya Mantri Sukh-Asharya Kosh for the orphans and other vulnerable sections of society and has adopted 4,000 orphans as 'Children of the State' under the Mukhya Mantri Sukh-Asharya Yojna, assisting with their proper care and higher education till they attain the age of 27 years by enacting a law.Sukhu said that during the last monsoon, the state had to deal with the worst disaster in its recent history, despite not receiving any special relief packages from the central government. Despite its limited resources, the state government has provided a special relief package of Rs. 4,500 crore. He said that to provide adequate assistance to the affected people, electricity and water connections and gas cylinders are being provided free of charge, along with cement at government rates for the construction of houses. The affected people are also being provided Rs. 5,000 as house rent in rural areas and Rs. 10,000 in urban areas. The compensation for a completely damaged house has been increased to Rs. 7 lakh from Rs. 1.30 lakh. In case of partial damage to the house, the compensation amount has been increased to Rs. 1 lakh.MLAs from Una, Hamirpur, and Bilaspur districts also spoke on this occasion and gave their valuable suggestions...////...