SHIMLA, 14.95.26-Principal Advisor (Media ) to the Chief Minister, Naresh Chauhan in a press statement issued here today reacted to recent remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that appeals to conserve fuel, reduce foreign travel and avoid excessive gold purchases indicate the possibility of an economic crisis. He said the Prime Minister should clearly explain the country’s actual economic condition to the public.

Naresh Chauhan said that the Prime Minister’s comments about Himachal's economy and the payment of salaries to state employees were not based on facts. He clarified that the state’s financial condition is steadily improving and there is no issue in disbursing salaries to employees. He also claimed that India has become one of the most indebted countries in the world and said the Central Government should answer public on this matter.

Targeting the Central Government, he said that if the Centre is truly concerned about Himachal Pradesh, it should provide a special financial package to the state and restore the discontinued Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) assistance. He said that the Congress government has provided major relief to 1.36 lakh employees by implementing the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). He said that the scheme to provide Rs.1500 per month financial assistance to women is being implemented in a phased manner.

Regarding municipal corporation elections, Naresh Chauhan claimed that Congress is receiving strong public support in all four municipal corporations. He said that Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has launched the election campaign from Mandi and will campaign in Palampur, Dharamshala and finally in Solan in the coming days.

He said that during the Congress government’s three-and-a-half-year tenure, several historic and visionary initiatives have been under taken that will shape the future of Himachal Pradesh. Referring to reforms in the education sector, he said the introduction of English-medium education from Class 1 and linking around 150 schools with CBSE curriculum are landmark decisions. He said these measures will have a positive impact on students and help them compete effectively at the national level.

Speaking about achievements in the health sector, Naresh Chauhan said that projects worth Rs. 1750 crore are being implemented to introduce modern machines and advanced technology into healthcare services. He added that the government is rapidly working towards strengthening robotic surgery facilities, advanced MRI technology and healthcare facilities in rural areas so that people of the state do not have to travel outside state in search of better medical facilities.

Naresh Chauhan said that the government has increased milk procurement prices by up to Rs. 20 per litre to strengthen the rural economy. He said that this initiative would significantly enhance the income of rural families, especially women associated with dairy activities. He said that the primary objective of present state government is to curb migration from villages.

He said that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has no strong issues against the government. He claimed that the Congress government has prioritized public welfare and corruption-free governance, whereas the BJP is merely attempting to mislead the public and creates unnecessary confusion.

Referring to the NEET paper leak issue, he described it is an extremely serious matter that has affected the future of millions of students. He demanded that the Central Government and the Prime Minister must take immediate, strict and effective action to safeguard the future of students.