Announces mini-secretariat for Nerwa and Kupvi
Lambasts BJP for their evil attempt to overthrow democratically elected government
Public welfare utmost priority of our Government, says Sukhu
Punjab Newsline, Shimla,March 5-
After dedicating various developmental projects worth Rs. 73.43 crore at Nerwa in Chopal of Shimla district, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that State Government was committed to the wellbeing of the people of the State and has implemented many welfare schemes within a year so as to make a better living for them. He was addressing a mammoth gathering at Kupvi in Chopal today.
Speaking on the guarantees as promised in the election manifesto before the assembly elections, the Chief Minister said that our government has fulfilled five guarantees in one year of its regime despite the challenging financial situation and the rest of the guarantees would be fulfilled in a phased manner.
He said that 'Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana', was announced on Monday under which all the eligible women of the state, above 18 years of age will be provided Rs. 1,500 per month.
"The aim was to give all the women the right to live with self-respect and meet their daily needs" he said, detailing further that the government would spend Rs. 800 crore annually on the implementation of the scheme, benefitting around five lakh women of the state. He said that the process of filling up the forms under this scheme will start soon.
Counting guarantees, the Chief Minister said the first guarantee was fulfilled as soon as the state government assumed the power and started Old Pension Scheme (OPS) benefiting 1.36 lakh NPS employees, securing their future as well as that of their families.
The second, third and fourth guarantees were fulfilled by launching Rs. 680 crore 'Rajiv Gandhi Start-up Scheme', followed by starting English medium from first class in all the Government school, Support Price for procurement of cow and buffalo milk to Rs. 45 per litre and Rs. 55 per litre, respectively.
Himachal has also become the first state in the country to provide minimum support price for wheat and maize obtained through natural farming, remarked the Chief Minister.
The state government has also increased the daily wage of MNREGA workers by Rs. 60 from existing Rs. 240 to Rs. 300 and the Support price of apple has also been increased.
He said that as Chopal witnessed heavy losses due to the monsoon rains last year, a sum of Rs.15 crore have been spent on the maintenance of roads so that the apples produce could reach the markets well in time.
"The nefarious designs and an evil attempt of BJP's to topple the democratically elected government through unethical means shows their hunger for power and they will never succeed in their motive to unseat the elected congress Government by their malicious intentions" stated the Chief Minister. The state government and all of its MLA's are united and are working tirelessly to realize the dream of making Himachal a self-reliant state, he remarked the Chief Minister, adding that the welfare of the people was our priority.
"I have been serving the people of the state for more than 45 years in my political career and will continue in my endeavours" remarked Sukhu, adding that he was a warrior and will fight till his last to ensure the welfare of the State and its people.
He made several announcements for Nerwa which includes construction of a multi-storey bus stand, setting up a milk chilling plant, a mini secretariat, a fire station and starting post graduate classes in two subjects in Government College, Nerwa. He also announced Rs. 10 crore for construction of indoor sports stadium at Nerwa.
He added that in order to provide better facilities to the people of Kupvi, a mini secretariat would also be opened there. He announced the opening of primary health centers in Dhar-chandana, Deiya and Nevati. He also assured to soon provide ultrasound facility in civil hospitals at Chopal and Nerwa.
Earlier, he inaugurated Kanahal-Bajathal road constructed at a cost of Rs 5.10 crore, Sainj-Dak Sharad road constructed at a cost of Rs. 5.14 crore, Tarahn-Banah road completed with an outlay of Rs 6.83 crore, Pabas-Mashron road constructed with an outlay of Rs. 6.89 crore, Nanhar-Malkaut road via Kuftu-Kaloon-Harijanbasti road constructed at a cost of Rs. 4.01 crore and a bridge on Nanoo-Kuthar-Bassadhar-Gian-Kot road completed at a cost of Rs. 2.95.
The Chief Minister also performed the foundation stone laying ceremonies of 60 meter long pre-stressed double lane bridge to be constructed at a cost of Rs 4.36 crore over Shallu Khad at Neoty on Neoty-Chhawani-Bavi road, the widening and strengthening work of Khirki-Chopal Marg at a cost of Rs 30.46 crore and the upgradation work of Deha-Kathori-Pundar-Ghalana road at a cost of Rs 7.68 crore.
Chairman, 7th State Finance Commission, Nand Lal also lashed at the BJP government for the liabilities they left behind affecting the pace of development.
Terming the Chief Minister as the 'man of principle', Rajneesh Khimta, who contested the assembly elections from Chopal assembly segment said that during the times of the disaster in the state last year, the sensitivity and passion with which the Chief Minister worked to help the people was also appreciated even by the World Bank and many other global organizations. He expressed his gratitude to Sukhu for giving impetus to the development of Chopal Assembly constituency.
Chamba MLA Neeraj Nayyar, State Congress Committee General Secretary Yashpal Tanaik, senior Congress leader S.P. Katyal, senior Congress party officials, representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions, DC Shimla Anupam Kashyap and SP Shimla Sanjeev Gandhi were present on the occasion amongst others.