In a move that has brought cheers to employees and senior citizens of Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur announced 8 per cent interim relief to state government employees and pensioners from 1 January 2016.
This would provide benefits of Rs 700 crore to the employees, he said, while presiding over the 48th statehood day celebration function at Anni in Kullu district on Thursday.
“Roads are essential infrastructure for a rural economy and life-lines of development, particularly in a hill state like ours. The state government has roads as its priority and special emphasis would be given on providing rural connectivity,” he said.
The state government would initiate a road maintenance policy to bring qualitative improvement in roads, he said, adding that the Centre has sanctioned in principle 69 national highways for the state which would strengthen the road network.