December 06 :Chamera reservoir to be developed for water sports and Rs. 50 lakh to be spent, Rs. 353 crore to be spent over modern farming to benefit about 60,000 families, Rs. 150 crore being spent upon subsidized essential commodities, SDM Office at Salooni to be considered.This was stated by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister while addressing a mammoth public meeting at Salooni in Banikhet assembly segment of district Chamba in the interior of the district after he laid foundation stone of Government Degree College building estimated to cost Rs. 8.30 crore today.
Chief Minister said that Rs. 197 crore were being spent over creation of education infrastructure in the State during current financial year which was about 150 per cent more to the previous financial year. He said that Rs. 36.72 crore would be spent under IPH activities, Rs. 8.02 core under BASP etc. programmes was being spent besides Rs. 19.60 crore under B&R activities in Banikhet segment. He said that 29 km of new roads had been constructed against the target of 31 kms for current financial year. He said that Rs. 70 crore power evacuation scheme had been launched for Chamba district so that power generated in the Ravi basin was evacuated to outside the valley. He said that Rs. 24.18 crore were also being spent under Rajeev Viddutikaran Yojna.
Prof. Dhumal said that women empowerment was on top agenda of the State Government and 50 percent reservation would be implemented in coming PRI elections in the State. He said that one women IRB to generate 1007 avenues of employment to women had been decided to be set up in district Bilaspur. He said that women empowerment and socio-economic upliftment of the women was being accorded top priority. He added that three women constables would be listening to the women complaints in each police station of the State.
Chief Minister said that Rs. 353 crore agricultural projects sanctioned for the State would be benefitting about 60,000 families who would be eligible to draw 80 per cent subsidy for the poly houses, irrigation and allied agricultural activities. He said that the duo schemes aims at strengthening the farming sector so that the farming would emerge as employment generating activity and fetch remunerative prices to the farmers with their produce. He emphasised the need for organic farming, which was in great demand in the market.
Prof. Dhumal said that the State Government was laying stress upon vocational education so that the educated youth were equipped with vocational skills which could ensure them employment and self employment. He said that Banikhet Polytechnic would be completed at a cost of Rs. 24.38 crore where five latest trades would be available to the students with hostel facilities to 100 each for girls and boys. He criticised the previous government for laying foundation stones of developmental projects without any budgetary provisions and planning.
Chief Minister said that Chamba district had the potential to exploit its natural wealth for tourism promotion which would attract more visitors to the area by creating additional infrastructure which could cater to the emerging requirements to retain visitors for some more time. He said that the State government would be creating infrastructure in the Chamera reservoir which would generate employment and self-employment to the local youth. He said that Rs. 50 lakh would be spent over creation of infrastructure for promotion of adventure sports activities in the area.
Prof. Dhumal said that PTA appointees would not be vindicated and all their genuine demands would be considered sympathetically. He said that welfare of every section of the society was being ensured so that the State would progress by leaps and bounds. He said that Salooni area would be getting added attention in terms of speedy development. He said that efforts would be made to deliver the developmental benefits to every house and individual so that the development starts from villages. He said that every policy and programme was focussed upon the uniform and balanced development of the State and funds had not been any constraints to achieve the objective.
Chief Minister assured the people of Salooni that all their genuine demands would be considered by the State Government sympathetically and at appropriate level so that the area could develop speedily and keep pace with rest of the State.
Earlier, Chief Minister also laid the foundation stones of Govt. Polytechnic campus at Banikhet estimated to cost Rs. 24.38 crore and augmentation of the Singadhar water supply scheme, estimated to cost Rs. 90.37 lakh and benefit about 1200 population of 23 habitations with 70 litres of water per person per day through a pipeline of 26 kms to feed minority habitations.
Prof. Dhumal was accorded a rousing reception by the people of the district who had assembled in large number clad in traditional costumes enroute from Dalhousie to Salooni. He also listened to public grievances at Dalhousie and Salooni. He visited Mata Bhalai Devi temple to pay his obeisance to the presiding deity of the area.
Smt. Renu Chadda, local MLA welcomed the Chief Minister to her home segment and thanked him for his two day visit to her segment and laying foundation stones of prominent developmental projects valued at about Rs. 33 crore. She thanked for sanctioning Rakhalu Mata WSS which had benefited the Gujjar minority in the area. She said that 1,095 persons were sanctioned social security pension in Banikhet segment. She urged Chief Minister for a separate Sub Division Civil at Salooni, upgradation of various educational institutions, utilize Chamera lake for generating employment, strengthen health institutions in her home segment.
Shri B.K. Chauhan, MLA, Chamba counted developmental milestones established all over the State during last 10 months. He said that the State Government had taken landmark decisions benefitting every section of the society. He said that Rs. 92 crore were being spent under B&R activities in Chamba district during current financial year.
Shri Mohan Lal, former Minister and President, District Chamba BJP also addressed the gathering.
Shri Farookh Bhatt, Pradhan, Anjuman Committee also welcomed the Chief Minister and apprised him of various local demands. He said that there was complete harmony amongst the people of the area and were collectively working for speedy development.
Shri Man Singh, Pradhan, Gram Panchayat, Salooni welcomed the Chief Minister and thanked him for laying foundation stone of a degree college and providing funds for various other developmental activities.
Shri Tilak Raj, Chairman, Zila Parishad, Shri Des Raj, former Chairman, Zila Parishad, Shri Amar Nath Sharma, President, Banikhet BJP Mandal, Smt. Urmil Thakur, General Secretary, State Mahila Morcha, Shri Madan Thakur, President, Banikhet Yuva Morcha, Shri Maneesh Garg, Deputy Commissioner, Shri C.S. Pandit, Superintendent of Police, Shri N.L. Sharma, CE, HPPWD, Dr. O.P. Sharma, Director, Education, Shri S.S. Guleria, Director, Technical Education and other senior officers and prominent people of the area were present.