15 lakh saplings to be planted: Kanwar

r Correspondent

Hamirpur, January 27

Virender Kanwar, Rural Development Minister, said over 15 lakh plants would be planted under the ‘one girl, one plant’ scheme in the state.

He was addressing the Republic Day celebrations here on Saturday. He said the scheme would help in increasing the green cover of the state. The country could not forget the freedom fighters who had sacrificed their lives for the nation. It was only because of their contribution that the country had emerged as the biggest democracy of the world.

Speaking on the achievements of the state government, Virender Kanwar said it had provided Rs 200 crore for social security pension (SSP). The age limit for the SSP had been reduced from 80 years to 70 years, which benefitted over 1.3 lakh senior citizens. The ship breeding farm at Tal in the district would be upgraded and land for the cow century had been identified at Jangalberi.

Earlier, students of various schools displayed colourful folk dances to enthral the audience.

MLA Narender Thakur, Kamlesh Kumari and Zila Parishad Chairman Rakesh Thakur were also present on the occasion.