Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the state government would fulfill the long pending demand of employees regarding Old Pension Scheme (OPS) in the very first cabinet meeting as promised in the Congress ‘Pritigya Patra-2022’.

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who is undergoing quarantine after being tested positive for Covid-19 in New Delhi, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said he was asymptomatic and after following the Covid-19 protocol, would return to work at the earliest.

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He said that the state government was committed to fulfill all the 10 guarantees made by the Congress party during the recently-concluded Assembly elections and would leave no stone unturned to come up to the expectations and aspirations of the people of the state.

The state Finance department has been directed to come up with detailed proposal regarding implementation of the OPS to facilitate NPS employees of the state.

“The suggestions of various employees organisations and other sections of the society were being taken into consideration so that a viable and comprehensive OPS could be framed,” he said.

He has also directed the officers to promote eco-friendly vehicles in a big way which would not only lessen the burden on state exchequer but also prove to be a boon to the pristine environment of the state.

He said that the state Transport Department would get a fleet of electric vehicles and Secretariat and other departments would be encouraged to go for electric vehicles.

Sukhu said that greater focus would be laid on strengthening the agrarian economy of the state by providing incentives to the farming community.

He said that since agriculture and horticulture contributes about 13 percent of GDP of the state, stress would be laid on providing enhanced technological knowhow to the farmers.

Besides, providing employment opportunities to the youth, a special Start up Fund would be created to assist the young entrepreneurs, he added.

The Chief Minister said that people of the state have reposed faith on the Congress Party and the state government would strive hard to come up to the expectations of the people.