Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while addressing the Swaran Jayanti Panch Parmeshwar Gram Swaraj Sammelan at Jogindernagar in Mandi district today said that the State Government was committed to strengthen the PRIs in the State since they were the grassroot institutions of democracy and their involvement in development was vital for all-round development of the State. He said that the state government would provide all possible help to ensure that the elected representatives of PRIs could function smoothly. He also urged the elected representatives of PRIs to work with greater responsibility and dedication so that they could come upto the expectations of their people. He also appreciated the role of women in effective functioning of the PRIs. He also urged the elected members of PRIs to identify beneficiaries of various welfare schemes launched by the State Government so that the benefits of the development could reach the people living at the lowest ebb.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government was providing old age pensions to over 5 lakh old age persons in the State. He said that all the eligible women above the age of 65 years were being provided old age social security pension without any income limit. He said that almost 3.17 lakh free gas connections were provided in the State under the Himachal Grihini Suvidha Yojna and Himachal Pradesh was made a first ‘Smoke free’ State of the country. He said that Rs. 3500 per month would be provided per month to the children who have lost both their parents during this pandemic. He said that the State Government strived hard to check spread of the corona virus and took pragmatic steps to control this virus. He said that there was only one oxygen plant in the State before this pandemic, but today 12 oxygen plants were functional and 28 more were being established in different parts of the State.
Chief Minister said that Jogindernagar Vidhan Sabha area was poised to emerge as a Model Vidhan Sabha area of the State. He said that today he has performed inaugurations and foundation stones laying ceremonies of developmental projects worth Rs. 110 crore at Chauntra in Jogindernagar Vidhan Sabha area. He said that this shows that the pace of development has been expedited during the last three and a half years. He said that developmental projects worth crores of rupees were being implemented in the Jogindernagar constituency. He said that despite the pandemic, the State Government ensured that the pace of development goes uninterrupted for which he laid foundation stones and inaugurated developmental projects worth Rs. 4000 crore in about 42 Vidhan Sabha areas of the State virtually from Shimla.
Jai Ram Thakur said that three water supply and irrigation projects worth about Rs. 160 crore have been posed for construction in Jogindernagar area, which on completion would ensure solving the water problem for years together.
Chief Minister announced opening of a hatchery of Kadaknath Breed in Chauntra, Rs. 15 lakh for metalling and tarring of Phanahiya Gallu road, Rs. 15 lakh Khanagar road, Rs. 10 lakh each for three new Panchayat to construct Panchayat Bhawans, opening of Atal Adarsh Vidhalya at Ladbadhol, Rs. 50 lakh for Veterinary Hospital building in the area, opening of PHC at Papli Gram Panchayat, upgradation of Health Sub Centre Golwa to PHC, upgradation of Police Chowki Ladbadhol to Police Station, opening of PWD Sub Division at Makrari, Rs. 23 crore for Kotipattan bridge under the CRF, upgradation of PHC Chauntra to CHC, Multipurpose Stadium at Senior Secondary School Chauntra and Badminton court at Girls School Jogindernagar and Rs. 10 lakh for Press Club building Jogindernagar.
Jai Ram Thakur inaugurated the Regional Manager Office HRTC, Jogindernagar and flagged off new bus route from Jogindernagar to Simas. He also inaugurated Rs. 5.67 crore Dol Raktal Changerh road and bridge over Patta Nallah under NABARD.
Chief Minister laid foundation stones of Rs. 25.85 crore augmentation of LWSS Neri Chimnu, Lanagna LWSS Karag Fagala, WSS Kathoun, Panjalag, WSS Khudi Rass, WSS Dugh, Todal, Gadyara, WSS Kahdihar and WSS Chaterbhuja Basahi in tehsil Jogindernagar, Rs. 9.99 crore Lift Water Supply Scheme to PC habitation of GP Bihun and Nauhli alongwith household connections in tehsil Jogindernagar, Rs. 6.52 crore LWSS in GP Tikkari, Mushera, Bharyara, Chauntra and Prain Sainthal etc. in Tehsil Jogindernagar and Rs. 7.19 crore CAD cluster of 7 FIS under Chauntra block.
Jai Ram Thakur also performed ‘bhoomi pujan’ ceremonies of Rs. 14.52 crore upgradation of Dhelu to Bhatehar road under PMGSY, Rs. 12.72 crore balance work and metalling and tarring on Bagoda Bagla Hard Ropari Mordoog Chandani road under NABARD. He laid foundation stones of Rs. 22.82 crore 160 meter span double lane bridge with foot path over river Beas at Kothipattan on Dharampur-Sandhole road via Seoh-Langna under CRF and Rs. 4.74 crore Sparu Langha Ghadwan road.
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Virender Kanwar said that it was on the initiative of the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur that such Sammelan would be held throughout the State to educate the newly elected representatives of the PRIs regarding various rules and regulations to ensure effective functioning of the PRIs. He said that Rs. 429 crores were directly provided to the PRIs for ensuring development of their respective area. He said that this has ensured empowerment of the panchayats in the State. He said that about Rs. 950 crore was spent only under the MNREGA through panchayats in the State. He said that during the last one year as many as Rs. 2000 crore were spent by the PRIs in the State under various heads.
MLA Jogindernagar Prakash Rana while welcoming the Chief Minister in his home constituency detailed about various developmental demands of the area. He said that this was a historic day for the people of Jogindernagar area as the Chief Minister has dedicated and laid foundation stones of developmental projects worth Rs. 110 crore. He said that the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur believes in ‘Vikas Neeti’ instead of ‘Rajneeti’ and was ensuring balanced and equitable development of every area and every part of the State. He said that under the able leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur the State was bound to achieve new heights during the years to come.
Former Minister Thakur Gulab Singh thanked the Chief Minister for ensuring that the pace of development goes uninterrupted in Jogindernagar area. He said that several developmental projects worth crores of rupees have been dedicated to the people of Jogindernagar by the Chief Minister during this one day tour of the area. He also urged the Chief Minister to upgrade the PHC at Chauntra to CHC.
Mandal BJP President Pankaj Jamwal welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries present on the occasion. He thanked the Chief Minister for giving special due to the area in matter of development. He said that even the opposition leaders have been now praising the working and functioning of the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur even in the House. He also detailed a few developmental demands of the area.
Director Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Rugved Thakur said that the main objective of holding this Panchayat Sammelan was to educate the newly elected representatives of the panchayati raj institutions. He said that efforts of the Panchayati Raj Department was to ensure that the benefits of developmental schemes reaches the person living at the lowest ebb. He said that every Panchayat should take up five major works in their respective district so that they could ensure development of the area in a befitting manner. He said that several initiatives have been taken under the MNREGA so as to ensure that maximum possible projects could be taken under this scheme.
Jal Shakti Minister Mahender Singh Thakur, MLA Baijnath Mulkh Raj Premi, Deputy Commissioner Mandi Arindam Chaudhary, Superintendent of Police Mandi Shalini Agnihotri were present on the occasion.
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