Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Commerce and Industries Piyush Goyal has appreciated the achievements of the Himachal Pradesh Government in becoming first State of the Country in providing cent-percent first dose of Covid-19 vaccination to the eligible age groups besides ensuring food safety to the targeted groups. He was addressing Sewa Aur Samarpan Abhiyan at Totu-Jutogh in Shimla here today. The Union Minister said that the State Government has made tremendous progress in all spheres of development during the last fifty years after attaining the status of statehood. He said that the State had not only emerged as role model for hill States of the country but also shown path for others big States.
While congratulating the Chief Minister and people of the State on the golden jubilee year of Statehood, Piyush Goyal said that the State during about four years has achieved various milestones under the able leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. He said that the Nation was fortunate that it was being headed by a strong and dynamic leadership in form of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that during last 20 years as Chief Minister of Gujarat and thereafter Prime Minister of the country, Narendra Modi has worked tirelessly and relentlessly without taking even one day break. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while welcoming the Union Minister said that the Sewa Aur Samarpan Abhiyan was being launched throughout the country to celebrate two decades of Prime Minister in public services. He said that the birthday of Prime
Minister on 17th September was celebrated as Sewa Divas throughout the country and various welfare activities were being organized to mark the occasion. Jai Ram Thakur said that the Union Government has provided wholehearted support and cooperation to the State Government to effectively tackle the Covid-19 pandemic in the State. He said that the State after achieving the cent-percent target of first dose of vaccination to the eligible population was now striving hard to become first State in the country in achieving the cent-percent vaccination of the people by the end of November this year. He said that the State till date has achieved target of about 46 percent second dose vaccination of eligible groups.
CM also planted a sapling of Jacaranda, an ornamental plant and Piyush Goyal planted a sapling of Silver Oak on the occasion. Earlier, Chief Minister welcomed Union Minister Piyush Goyal at Peterhoff by presenting him bouquet, shawl and himachali cap. Union Minister and Chief Minister also visited vaccination centre Totu and interacted with the doctors, paramedical staff and the people who came for vaccination. MP and State BJP President Suresh Kashyap also spoke on the occasion and detailed various welfare schemes launched by the Central and State Governments. Health Minister Dr. Rajiv Saizal, Chairman HIMFED Ganesh Dutt, Political Advisor to Chief Minister Trilok Jamwal, Shimla District BJP President Ravi Mehta and BJP Leader Dr. Pramod Sharma were present on the occasion among others.