SHIMLA: As a part of ‘Pragatisheel Himachal: Sathapna Ke 75 Varsh’ celebrations to commemorate 75 years of existence of Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur addressed a mammoth gathering at Hatkot in Kunihar area of Arki Vidhan Sabha area of Solan district today.
Jai Ram Thakur said that it was indeed a matter of honour for the people of the State; Himachal Pradesh was celebrating 75 years of its existence. He said that the State Government was celebrating this event in a befitting manner by organizing 75 events throughout the State. He said that the objective of organizing these events was to showcase the developmental journey of the State during these 75 years. He urged the people to actively participate in these events and be part of this glorious 75 years journey of the State.
Chief Minister said that despite geographical constraints, the State witnessed unparalleled development during these years. He said that apart from the able leadership the State got over these years, credit also goes to the hardworking and honest people of the State. He said that the State not only grew in size during these years but it has also made impressive growth in various sectors. He said that the literacy rate at the time of formation of the State was only 4.8 per cent, whereas today it has gone over 83 percent. He said that road length at that time was 228 kms and today it has gone upto 39,500 kms. He said that out of these roads, over 20,000 kms roads were constructed under PMGSY started by the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Jai Ram Thakur said that despite limited resources, Himachal Pradesh has emerged as a model of development and public welfare schemes for other States of the country. He said that the State has got a distinct identity and the achievements of the State in various fields have been appreciated at the national level. He said that a few opposition leaders were even opposing this celebration of the State, which shows their frustration. He said that every Himachali must feel proud of the achievements of the State and also educate the younger generation about these achievements. He said that at the time of formation of the State, there were only 301 educational institutions, whereas today the State has over 16,124 educational institutions.
Referring to the development of Solan district, the Chief Minister said that at the formation of the district in 1972, there were only 476 schools in the Solan district, whereas today the district has over 1108 educational institutions. He said that during his last visit to the constituency, he has announced 14 projects for the constituency, out of which 13 have been completed and dedicated to the people of the area. He said that the previous Government even politicized the Himachali cap and colour of caps and politics of vendetta and victimization was at its peak.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government was spending over Rs. 1300 crore for providing social security pensions as compared to Rs. 400 crore spent by the Congress Government during their tenure. He said that Congress in the State was a leaderless and directionless party where every leader of the party was trying to score a point over one another. He said that the people of the State would ensure Mission Repeat of the BJP Government in the coming assembly general elections by reposing faith in the policies and programmes of the present Government so that pace of development in the State goes uninterruptedly.
Chief Minister said that Grihini Suvidha Yojna, Sahara Yojna, HIMCARE, Mukhya Mantri Shagun Yojna etc., have been proving boon to the vulnerable sections of the society. He said that over 3.32 lakh people have been provided free treatment under the HIMCARE Yojna and over 20,000 people were being provided an amount of Rs. 3000 per month under Sahara Yojna. He said that the State Government was also providing 125 units free power to the electricity consumers of the State and 50 percent concession in bus fare in HRTC buses to women of the State. The State Government was also providing free water to domestic water consumers of the rural areas of the State, he added.
Chief Minister said that the State Government would consider the genuine developmental demands of the area sympathetically so that people could take benefits from them.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones of 21 developmental projects worth about Rs. 54 crore at Kunihar for Arki assembly constituency of Solan district.
Jai Ram Thakur performed inaugurations of Rs. 5.71 crore Mangerwari Bhajot road, Rs. 36 lakh Seri Jeri road, Rs. 27 lakh Home Guards building at Darlaghat, Rs. 1.35 crore Talab Behli road, Rs. 77 lakh Sub Treasury office building at Arki, Rs. 3.81 crore Khalighati Kaldwar Falothan Kangridhar road and Rs. 62 lakh office and residence of Subject Matter Specialist (Agriculture) Seeds Farm building at Kunihar.
The Chief Minister laid foundation stones of Rs. 17.29 crore LWSS to census village Score, adjoining villages in GP Barel and Kandhar and other left out villages of Arki constituency in tehsil Arki, Rs. 6.47 crore LIS village Bhumpti, Dhar Brahamana etc. from Gamber khad in tehsil Arki, Rs. 5.65 crore check dam on Khawach khad at Masoul in tehsil Ramshehar, Rs. 1.39 crore LIS to village Okhoo in GP Lagdaghat in tehsil Ramshehar and Rs. 88 lakh improvement/remodelling of LIS Manlog Kalan in tehsil Ramshehar.
The Chief Minister also performed foundation stones laying of Rs. 59 lakh veterinary dispensary building at Domehar, Rs. 81 lakh Science Lab in Government Senior Secondary School (Boys) Kunihar, Rs. 52 lakh additional rooms of Government Senior Secondary School Darlaghat, Rs. 1.02 crore protection work to playground of Government Senior Secondary School Chandi, Rs. 3.72 crore 2nd and 3rd floor in Government Senior Secondary School Bathalang, Rs. 89 lakh link road from Saryanj Baridhar to Upreli Pamber, Rs. 47 lakh link road from Lilyform to Pansoda, Rs. 74 lakh link road from Syar Toon Javi Bagi and Syar Twari road and Rs. 33 lakh laying of cement concrete interlocking paver blocks from Ladhi to Domehar on Kunihar Bainj-Ki Hatti Shally-Brahampukhar road.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated the exhibition based on the theme “Himachal Tub Aur Ab”, put up by various departments, boards and corporations. Earlier, the Chief Minister was accorded rousing welcome on his arrival at Kunihar.
Health Minister Dr. Rajiv Saizal, while addressing the gathering present on the occasion, said that Himachal Pradesh during the last 75 years of its existence has witnessed unparalleled development in all spheres of development. He said that the almost five year tenure of the present State Government would be remembered in the history of the State as this period was full of achievements and accomplishments. He said that the health sector has been given added priority in matter of development. He said that 500 posts of doctors would be filled soon to ensure that all the health institutions have doctors to cater to the needs of the patients.
Vice President BJP Rattan Singh Pal welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries present on the occasion. He said that Arki Vidhan Sabha area has witnessed unprecedented development during the tenure of the present State Government. He said that despite the Corona pandemic, the Chief Minister ensured that the pace of development goes uninterrupted. He also detailed various development demands of the area.
MLA Doon Parmajeet Singh Pammi, former MLAs K.L. Thakur and Govind Ram Sharma, District BJP President Ashutosh Vaidya, Members of Zila Parishad Amar Singh Thakur and Asha Pharihar, Mandal President D.K. Upadhaya were present on the occasion among others.