15 Aug : The Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm across Himachal Pradesh amid tight security arrangements on Saturday.
The state level function to mark the country’s 63rd year of independence was organised at Fatehpur in Kangra district where Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal unfurled the National Flag and took salute from marching contingents of police, home gurads, NCC and school children.
Speaking on the occasion, Dhumal made a slew of announcements including implementation of 5th pay commission recommendations for regular employees of the state government with effect from 1st Sept 2009 and release of six percent dearness allowance (DA) from 1st January2009, to be paid in cash.
The UGC pay scales to all eligible college and university teachers will be applicable from 1st Sept 2009, he added.
He announced regularisation of contractual and daily wages employees completing eight years of service on 31st March 2009 and enhancement of ‘Samman Rashi’ of freedom fighters from existing Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 per month.
Daily allowance for the Home Guards jawans was hiked from Rs 150 to Rs 170 from 1st Sept 2009 and monthly honorarium to gram panchayat chowkidars from Rs 800 to Rs 1000.
Other ministers presided over Independence Day function at district levels. Horticulture minister Narendra Bragta was chief guest at the function in Shimla.