SHIMLA-14.11.24-Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi criticized former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur for disregarding the traditions and dignity of Devbhoomi Himachal and spreading false information about the state through misleading propaganda.

He said that Jai Ram Thakur never speaks of the Sukh-Aashray Yojna, wherein thousands of homeless and orphan children have been adopted by the government as the 'Children of the State', being the first State in the country to launch this scheme. Himachal is also the first State to provide Minimum Support Price of Rs 45 on purchase of cow milk and Rs 55 on purchase of Buffalo milk from the farmers which the leader of opposition never speaks about. Apart from this Sh. Negi said that we have offered Minimum Support Price of Rs. 40 per Kg on naturally produced wheat and Rs 30 per kg for maize providing relief to the farmers and Jai Ram Thakur says the Government never fulfilled the guarantees as promised to the people and was defaming the State Government.

The State Government has fulfilled its five guarantees within 20 months of its regime viz: Old Pension Scheme which has benefitted 1.36 lakh government employees. Besides, Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhiyojna was launched to fulfil the promise of giving Rs. 1500 to the eligible women of the State every month. The Government started Rs 680 crore Rajiv Gandhi Startup Yojna, an initiative providing self- employment opportunities with 50 percent subsidy on purchase of e- vehicles to the youth of the state. This all goes unnoticed by the opposition. Our Government has started english Medium in Government schools from the first class.

Minister Jagat Singh Negi emphasized that Jai Ram Thakur should focus on reality instead of spreading misinformation. The state government has fulfilled five guarantees within 20 months and will fulfill the remaining guarantees in a timely manner. He also highlighted the previous BJP government's corruption in recruitment processes and the hollowing out of education and health infrastructure, which the present government is working to strengthen.

Jagat Singh Negi advised Jai Ram Thakur to consider the state's image and refrain from making baseless statements, which harm the state's reputation. The people of Himachal are aware of the reality and can distinguish between fact and fiction.