Jai Ram Thakur inaugurates and lays foundation stones of 19 developmental projects worth Rs. 53.78 crore in Kinnaur district

Kinnaur : The State Government during the year 2018-19 to 2022-23 has made a budget provision of Rs. 3619 crore for the development of tribal areas of the State and developmental projects worth over Rs. 350 crore have been sanctioned and approved for Kinnaur district alone during the last about four and a half years, which shows the commitment of the State Government towards development of these areas.

This was stated by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while inaugurating the State Level Tribal Dance and Craft Mela at Reckong Peo in Kinnaur district today. He also inspected stalls of various artisans and evinced keen interest in the products displayed on the occasion.

Chief Minister said that the people of tribal areas were known for their simplicity, hard work and commitment. He also remembered the contributions of late T.S. Negi and late Chet Ram. He said that both these leaders were not only remembered for their contributions towards the development of the tribal areas, but also for their discipline and work culture. He also lauded the people of the tribal area for loving and respecting their culture and traditions.

Jai Ram Thakur said that the people of this tribal district were waiting for getting land on lease under FRA for the last 16 years. He said that now the process has been expedited and as many as 107 people were being provided land on lease today itself, out of which 60 cases are under FRA and 47 cases were of ‘Nautor’.

He also provided ‘Bhoo-patta’ to 60 beneficiaries on the occasion. He said that this was an historic step and would go a long way in providing land to the people of tribal areas. Jai Ram Thakur accused the opposition leaders of misleading the people of the tribal areas in the name of development.

He said that he himself being from a hilly area understands the developmental aspirations of the people of tribal and hilly areas. He said that he has been working untiredly for welfare and development of the State and has ensured that benefits of development reach the people living at the lowest ebb.

It was unfortunate a few opposition leaders were publicly claiming that on coming to power they would discontinue the schemes initiated by the present State Government, he said. He asked the opposition leaders whether they would stop providing social security pension, or stop providing free gas connections or discontinue providing benefits of Sahara Yojna, HIMCARE Yojna, Shagun Yojna etc.

Chief Minister said that the people of the State would always remain indebted towards the love and benevolence of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that the Congress Government always ignored interests of the State whereas on the other hand, the status of Special Category State was restored by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said that the 90:10 ratio for Central-State share for projects was also restored during the tenure of the BJP Government. He said that Congress has been completely rejected by the people of the country and so was the situation in the State.Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government was providing 50 per cent concession to women in bus fare in HRTC buses and free power upto 125 units per month to domestic consumers.

He said that the State Government has also decided to provide free water in rural areas of the State. He said that this was not going well with the Congress leaders, thus he advised the people of the State to ask these leaders to give away the concession being provided by the State Government.

Chief Minister announced opening of sub tehsil at Katgaon, PHC at Pangi, upgradation of PHC Spillow to CHC, sanctioning of one post of District Tourism Officer at Kinnaur, starting of MA Sociology and English courses at T.S. Negi Government College Reckong Peo, construction of Circuit House at Reckong Peo.

He also announced that the Project Senior Secondary School Bhawanagar would be taken over by the State Education Department and opening of Company Office of Home Guard at Katgaon would also be considered sympathetically. He said that efforts would also be made to develop Kanam Temple from tourism point of view.

Chief Minister also inaugurated the ‘Tourism in Himachal’ quiz on the occasion. Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones of 19 developmental projects worth Rs. 53.78 crore at Police Ground, Reckong Peo in Kinnaur district.

Chief Minister inaugurated Rs. 7.25 crore Kisan Bhawan at Reckong Peo, Rs. 3.72 crore additional block for T.S. Negi Government College Reckong Peo, Rs. 92 lakh barracks for Home Guard at Sharbo Reckong Peo and Rs. 1.93 crore Combined Lab at GSSS Kanam.

Jai Ram Thakur laid foundation stones of Rs. 1.08 crore Primary School Building at Namgia, Rs. 2.80 crore Type-IV quarters at Regional Hospital Reckong Peo, Rs. 2.11 crore Type-IV and Type-III quarters for employees of Animal Husbandry at Reckong Peo, Rs. 1.91 crore metalling and tarring of link road from Pancha to Patka via Panva, Rs. 1.02 crore link road from Upper Richenang to Kutumbtum in Gram Panchayat Pooh, Rs. 2.60 crore link road to village Dabling, Rs. 1.45 crore link road from Chang to Tashijong village Hangmat, Rs. 1.07 crore link road Skibba to Panah Kanda, Rs. 1.62 crore helipad at Sharbo Reckong Peo, Rs. 3.42 crore Smart Park Kalpa, Rs. 71 lakh Care and Promotion Fruits Vigyan Kendra and Rs. 2.93 crore road from Yulla bus stand to Longchulden via Tigrang Barbrang.

Chief Minister also performed bhoomi poojans of Rs. 82 lakh balance motorable road from Jani (Chipurche) to Ramni (Rochitang), Rs. 15.56 crore improvement and widening of Karchham-Sangla-Chhitkul road and Rs. 84 lakh jeepable road from Bari bus stand to Satkuting.

Vice Chairman State Forest Corporation Surat Negi while welcoming the Chief Minister said that Chief Minister has always remained considerate towards the developmental demands of the people of the tribal areas of the State. He also detailed a few developmental demands of the area.

Deputy Commissioner Kinnaur Abid Hussain Sadiq welcomed the Chief Minister and detailed various events being organized during the three day State Level Tribal Dance and Craft Mela. Former MLA Tejwant Negi, President District BJP Sanjiv, Chairman Zila Parishad Nihal Charas, Principal Secretary Tribal Development Onkar Chand Sharma, Superintendent of Police Kinnaur Ashok Ranjan were present on the occasion among others.