Kinnaur,April 17:Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister said that State Government would make all preparations to deal with any flood like situation in Sutlej River and added that adequate stock of essential commodities would be made in time. He said that district administration would be put on high alert to monitor the water levels during summer season besides making required arrangements to warn people living on either side of the river. He was addressing an impressive public meeting at Chagaon in tribal district of Kinnaur, after paying obeisance in the local temple of the presiding deity Shri Maheshwar ji in the village today.Chief Minister said that taking lessons from the Sutlej floods due to Parchhoo Lake, the State Government would be taking all precautionary measures to avert any emergency arising out of any flood like situation. He said that the concerned department would be directed to make adequate storage of essential commodities in the valley so that the requirement of the local people was fully met with. He said that all out efforts would also be made to maintain the communication lines in the valley.
Prof. Dhumal said that the State Government was committed to construct the Powari Bridge for which adequate funds would be made available. He said that with the completion of Powari bridge, Powari, Purbani and Tangling group of villages would get connected with motorable bridge and road. He said that roads and bridges were of vital importance in the tribal areas since, living in difficult geophysical conditions was itself a big challenge. He said that all out efforts would be made to construct more link roads and bridges to provide maximum connectivity to the tribal people of the State.
Chief Minister said that the State Government honoured the religious sentiments of the people and added that liberal funds would be made available for the restoration and repair of prominent shrines in the valley. He said that detailed estimates would be required to complete codal formalities for release of funds to implement the projects. He said that religious sentiments of the people were being held in high esteem and best efforts would be made to enable devotees carry their devotional services conveniently.
Chief Minister said that NREGA was an unique scheme in itself which generated 100 days of assured employment to the rural people near their homes in a year. He said that the minimum wage of Rs. 100 would also be applicable to the job card holders under NERGA. He urged people to take benefit of the programme and funds would not be any constraint to implement the scheme.
Prof. Dhumal said that women empowerment was on the top agenda of the State Government and it was committed to provide them fair representation in the PRIs. He said that 50 percent reservation in the PRIs and urban local bodies was a historical decision, which had attracted attention of the other Governments in the country.
Chief Minister thanked people of the area for their overwhelming support to BJP Candidates during assembly elections, which helped the party to get absolute majority in the State. He said that the elections to State assembly were held in tribal areas before rest of the State for the first time.
Earlier, Chief Minister offered obeisance at the famous shrine of local deity Shri Maheshwar ji and participated in the traditional prayer service organized by the villagers of Chagaon. He was accorded a rousing reception by villagers enroute from Reckong Peo to Chagaon.
Shri Tejwant Singh Negi, Local MLA welcomed the Chief Minister on his first visit to the district after assuming power for second time. He said that Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal had always paid added attention towards the developmental needs of the tribal district. He said that Chagoan Village Water Supply Scheme was under implementation, which would solve the drinking water problem of the village.
Shri Chet Ram Negi, former Parliamentary Secretary welcomed the Chief Minister and urged for more funds for temples in the area.
Shri Narender Bragta, Horticulture Minister, Shri Suresh Bhardwaj, MLA, Shri Vidya Sagar Negi, President Kinnaur BJP mandal, Smt. Chandermani, Chairperson, Zila Parishad, Smt. Anjana, Pradhan Gram Panchayat Chagam, Smt. Kiran Negi, Chairperson, Panchayat Samiti, Shri Shyam Sunder Negi, Chairman, Environment Protection Committee, Shri P.S. Drek, Deputy Commissioner, Shri Pupul Datt, S.P, Shri R.C. Gupta, Chief Engineer, PWD, Senior officers and prominent people present among others on the occasion.