HIPA to be renamed after former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh: CM

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while presiding over the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) in Shimla today announced to rename the institute after former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. He praised Dr. Singh’s policies for greatly helping the development of India and Himachal Pradesh and said that his efforts brought many benefits and recognition to the state.

On the occasion the Chief Minister also unveiled the coffee table book published by HIPA.

The Chief Minister inaugurated the training programme for special educators at the Institute in which 80 teachers would take part and would continue till 3^rd January. He said that this programme would equip teachers with modern technique for educating children with special needs and would offer alternative to traditional Braille method. As a part of inclusive development the State the Chief Minister announced increase in the monthly pension for visually impaired children rising from Rs. 1500 to Rs. 4000 per month until the age of 27. He said that this change would be incorporated to the upcoming budget. He said that the State Government was taking significant step to make visually impaired individuals self-reliant and insure their rightful share in the resources of the State.

Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that Himachal Pradesh generates annual income of Rs. 16000 crore while annual expenditure on salaries and pensions amounts to Rs. 27000 crores. He emphasize the need for sustainable financial roadmap and called for collective efforts and support from all sections of the society so as to increase the state's income and secure a prosperous future for the people of the State. He said that over the past two years the present State Government has worked diligently to stabilize the derailed financial condition of the state for which employees and officials of the States have provided their immense support to the government.

Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that all section of society have rightful share in the resources in the State and the government was making significant changes in the policies which would ensure equitable and overall development of the States. He said that strengthening the rural sector of the State has always been the top most priority for the State Government and many new initiatives would be introduced in the coming months.

The Chief Minister highlighted various schemes implemented by the Government including Mukhya Mantri Sukh Ashrya Yojna for the orphaned children, programmes for widows and measures to support single women. He said that these efforts reflect the commitment of state government for the well being of all sections of the society.

The Chief Minister congratulated all the officials and employees of HIPA on the completion 50 years of its establishment. He said that good governance was the core mantra of Congress Government and effective technology based training programmes for officials was essential to achieve good governance. He said that HIPA plays an important role in providing quality trainings to the officers and officials of the State.

Secretary Administrative Reforms and Training C. Palrasu welcomed the Chief Minister on the occasion and provided detailed information regarding the activities of Institution.

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Chairman of APMC Shimla Kinnaur Devanand Verma, Mayor Municipal Commissioner Shimla Surinder Chauhan, Director HIPA Rupali Thakur, Deputy Commissioner Shimla Anupam Kashyap, Project Director Samagra Shiksha Rajesh Sharma and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.