Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over the first session of MLA’s priority meeting for the budget 2021-22 with the MLAs of Kangra and Hamirpur districts here today said that the meeting of Planning is held every year before the annual budget so that suggestions and priorities of the MLAs could be incorporated in the budget. He said that during its three years tenure, the present State Government has ensured that the policies and programmes were framed as per the developmental aspiration of the MLAs. The Covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected the economy of the world. He said that the MLAs donated a major portion of their salary to fight this pandemic, besides motivating the people of their respective areas to donate generously towards the CM COVID Fund.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the indigenous vaccine was being administered to the frontline warriors in the country, which was possible due to the hard work of scientists and able leadership provided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The people of the State have given their wholehearted cooperation and support to the State Government, and the BJP Government not only won all the four Lok Sabha seats in the State, but also the bye elections. He said that the results of Panchayati Raj Elections and Urban Local Bodies were also won by the candidates supported by the BJP.
Chief Minister said that the State Government during the last three years has launched several welfare and developmental schemes for the welfare of the people. He said that Grihini Suvidha Yojna has ensure free gas connections to every households and HIMCARE Yojna has ensure that no one in the State was deprived of medical treatment for want of money. He said that Jan Manch and Chief Minister Helpline 1100 have ensured speedy redressal of public grievances. He said that Sahara Yojna has provided much needed relief to the families with chronically ill patients.
Jai Ram Thakur said that as many as 251 projects worth Rs 926.24 crore have been approved under NABARD under MLA priorities during the year 2020-21. He said that out of this Rs 926.24 crore, 565.52 crore has been provided for roads and bridges whereas Rs 360.72 crore have been provided for minor irrigation and drinking water schemes. He said that a provision of Rs 13,300 crore was made during the first three years tenures of the previous State Government under the annual plan expenditure whereas during the three years tenure of the present State Government provision of Rs 21,300 crore were made.
Chief Minister said that the people of the State were fortunate that the State of Himachal Pradesh has completed 50 years of statehood and has entered 51st year. He said that the Golden Jubilee year would be celebrated in a befitting manner by organizing 51 events throughout the State. He urged the MLAs to ensure their active participation so that the events could be celebrated in a befitting manner. He also urged the MLAs to give their suggestions so that the same could be incorporated in the budget.
Kangra district:
MLA Indora Rita Dhiman said that adequate provision of budget should be made for construction of Mini Secretariat at Indora and the work must also be taken in hand of construction of Surajpur and Indpur bridges in the area at the earliest. She also felt the need to declare Mud area of the constituency as no mining zone.
MLA Jawali Arjun Singh said that work on Atal Adarsh Vidhalaya at Kotla must be started at the earliest. He said that temporary Police Post at Nagrota Suria be made permanent post. \
MLA Dehra Hoshiyar Singh said that developmental works worth Rs 150 core were being implemented in Dehra Vidhan Sabha area. He said that steps must be taken to check theft of GST and redress the issue of about 400 families of Pong Dam oustees in his constituency.
MLA Jaisinghpur Ravinder Kumar said that work on construction of building of BDO Lambagaon must be expedited so that it may be completed within stipulated time. He urged the need to provide adequate staff and specialists in Jaisinghpur Hospital. He said that condition of the Gau Sadan at Kangain must be improved and the possibility must be explored to open a Fine Arts College at Andreta village.
MLA Nagrota Arun Kumar urged for providing adequate man and machinery in the Civil Hospital Nagrota and Dr Rajindra Prasad Medical College Tanda in Kangra. He said that CT scan in Tanda must be replaced and dialysis facility must be provided in the Medical College to facilitate the people of the area. He urged the Chief Minister for providing smaller buses for rural routes in the constituency.
MLA Kangra Pawan Kajal urged the Chief Minister for taking up the work of a few bridges in the area on priority. He said that adequate staff be provided in all the heath institutions of the constituency.
MLA Palampur Ashish Bhutail said BDO Office must be opened at Palampur and heliport be constructed at Palampur to promote tourism in the area. The Health Sub Centre Bhala was waiting inauguration, which should be inaugurated at the earliest. He said that Paragliding Training School should be opened at Palampur to promote Paragliding in the district. He also felt the need to start parking facilities in Palampur town.
MLA Baijnath Mulkraj Premi said that a few roads in the area must be taken up on priority. He said that Police Post at Bir was announced, but it needs to be notified at the earliest. He said that bus stand at Baijnath must be constructed to facilitate the people of the area. He said that beautification of Khirganga must be done to facilitate the tourists and devotees visiting the area.
MLA Dharamshala Vishal Nehariya said that work on Central University and Bus Stand Dharamshala should be expedited. He said that mini buses of HRTC should be plied on link roads from Kotwali Bazar to adjourning villages. He said that various works under Dharamshala Smart City Project must be expedited. He said that alternate road from Macleodganj Dharamshala be strengthened to avoid traffic congestion. He said that a proper path be constructed for Adi Himani Chamunda to develop it from tourism point of view.
District Hamirpur:
MLA Bhoranj Kamlesh Kumari said that the biggest issue of the area was the drinking water issue for which work on Bamson-Lagwalti be expeditated. She said that this scheme must be transferred under Bhoranj division. She said that indoor stadium be constructed at Bhoranj. She said that adequate mini buses be provided for rural roads of the constituency.
MLA Sujanpur Rajinder Rana said that work on Town Hall at Sujanpur should be started at the earliest. He said that 33KV Substation at Patlander need to be setup to provide uninterrupted power supply in the area. He said that Civil Hospital Sujanpur must be strengthened. He said that posts of Patwaris must be filled up at the earliest. He said that post graduate classes be started in the Degree College Sujanpur.
MLA Hamirpur Narender Thakur said that work on Hamirpur Bus Stand must be expeditated so that it could be completed at the earliest. He said that CT Scan, X ray and Ultra sound machines must be provided immediately in Medical College Hamirpur. He said that adequate staff be provided in Civil Hospital Lambloo. He said that Veterinary Poly Clinic be opened at Hamirpur.
MLA Barsar Inder Dutt Lakhanpal said that Bus Stand should be constructed at Barsar, foundation stone of which was laid in 2011. He said that Mini Secretariat need to be constructed at Barsar. He said that Baba Balaknath temple should be developed from tourism point of view. He also laid stress on immediate restoration of HRTC routes in the area. He said that building of Civil Hospital Barsar must be constructed at the earliest.
MLA Nadaun Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the about 400-meter National Highway passing through the upcoming Medical College Hamirpur must be shifted as this may cause much inconvenience to the patients. He said that Bus Stand as well as Spice Park must be constructed at Nadaun. He said that land be transferred to Senior Secondary School Amlehad. He said that steps must be taken to connect all the district headquarters with heliports. He also requested to provide Jal Shakti and PWD divisions at Nadaun.
Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Prabodh Saxena welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries present on the occasion.
Advisor Planning Dr Basu Sood made a presentation regarding process of online registration by the MLAs of their priorities. He said that each MLA can prioritize six schemes of his area.
Industries Minister Bikram Singh Thakur, Forest Minister Rakesh Pathania, Deputy Chairman State Planning Board Ramesh Chand Dhawala, Chief Secretary Anil Khachi, Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries, Heads of Departments were present in the meeting, whereas as the Deputy Commissioners and other district officers joined the meeting through video conference from their respective districts. -0-