Chamba: Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju laid the foundation stones for various development projects worth ₹25.86 crore in Bhanjraru (Tissa) and Salooni subdivisions of Chamba district.
The projects are being executed under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India. These include an ITI building at Bhanjraru (Tissa) to be constructed at a cost of ₹9.84 crore, an indoor stadium at Bhanjraru costing ₹7 crore, and another indoor stadium at Salooni to be built at a cost of ₹9.02 crore.
Addressing public gatherings at Bhanjraru (Tissa) and Salooni, Rijiju said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has witnessed new dimensions of development over the past 11 years. He highlighted significant improvements in road connectivity, banking services, and mobile and internet access during this period.
He added that while the Centre has focused on fulfilling basic infrastructure needs across the country, it is now also working to meet future requirements, particularly in rural areas. The minister urged residents to avail benefits of Central government schemes and spread awareness among others.
Rijiju stated that the indoor stadium at Bhanjraru would be completed within 18 months, while the Salooni stadium is expected to be ready within 20 months. He assured locals that demands related to the Minority Affairs Ministry would be considered sympathetically.
The Union Minister informed that ₹25 crore has been spent in Chamba district under entrepreneurship development initiatives, benefitting 324 eligible beneficiaries with loans at an interest rate of 6 per cent. He further said that minority students are being provided education loans of up to ₹25 lakh at a 3 per cent interest rate for studies in India and abroad.
He also shared that the Ministry is facilitating the Haj pilgrimage for 1.75 lakh members of the Muslim community this year, including 65 pilgrims from Chamba district.
Rijiju added that development works worth ₹31 crore have been initiated in Chamba district under the Ministry, including the Government Senior Secondary School building at Deyur, whose foundation stone was laid earlier, apart from the three projects inaugurated today.
Member of Parliament from Kangra, Rajeev Bhardwaj, MLA from Dalhousie Assembly constituency D. S. Thakur, and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Ram Singh also addressed the gatherings.
MP Rajeev Bhardwaj highlighted various welfare schemes being implemented by the Central Government, while MLA D.S. Thakur placed several key demands related to the Dalhousie constituency before the Union Minister.
Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal proposed the vote of thanks at the conclusion of the programme.
Among others present on the occasion were Himachal Pradesh Haj Committee Chairman Dildar Ali Butt, District BJP President Dheeraj Naryal, Private Secretary Sachin Jaiswal, Superintendent of Police Vijay Saklani, Additional Deputy Commissioner Amit Mehra, SDM Tissa Rajesh Jaryal, SDM Salooni Chanderbir Singh, along with officials from various departments and local residents.
