Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh performed the foundation stone laying ceremony of 132 KV Electric Sub Station at Fatehpur in district Kangra today. It will also have 8 kms long double circuit communication line. Rs. 16 crore would be spent on the project. It would benefit about two lakh people of 1118 villages of tehsil Fatehpur, Jwali, Rehan of Nurpur and Bhograwan area of Indora besides various irrigation and water supply schemes. He also inaugurated the office of Engineer-in-Chief, Shahnahar Project at Fatehpur. He also laid foundation stone of APMC marketing yard Fatehpur to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 387.42 lakh. It would cater to the needs of 35 Gram Panchayats of the area. It would help in lowering the transportation cost and will enhance the shelf life of perishable goods. It will have 10 shops and other basic amenities. Chief Minister inaugurated the Lift Water Supply Scheme to village Khadon in Fatehpur constructed at a cost of Rs. 185.68 lakhs. It will benefit about 3000 people of 17 villages. He also inaugurated bridge at Badukhar over Dhanuna khad constructed at a cost of Rs. 87.81 lakhs. Later, addressing a public meeting at Fatehpur, Chief Minister announced to take over Sugh Bhatoli Private Degree College in Indora assembly constituency under government control. He also announced to upgrade Government High School, Badiali and Golwan to Government Senior Secondary School and said that Government Middle School, Lathial would be first upgraded to High School and then to Government Senior Secondary School. Chief Minister also announced to upgrade Government Middle School, Kohlari to High School, Government Primary School, Jhuna-II and Government Primary School Ring to Middle Schools.
Virbhadra Singh said that he was on winter sojourn to Kangra, Hamirpur and Una districts since last month to address the grievances and problems of the people at their door steps. He said that State Government was committed for overall development of the State and various schemes had been launched to ensure welfare of every section of the society. He said that BJP had no role in the development and foundation of the State and the then Jan Sangh had opposed the merger of hilly areas of Punjab into Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh came into existence on 15th April, 1948 due to efforts of Dr. Y.S. Parmar, Congress Party and with blessings of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru.Shri Virbhadra Singh said that Shri Prem Kumar Dhumal had framed him in many false cases but he was exonerated. He said that he does not believe in political vendetta and he had filed a defamation case against all those who had made false allegations against him to tarnish his image for their personal gains. He accused Shri Prem Kumar Dhumal for vitiating the political atmosphere. Chief Minister said that certain people want to pide District Kangra into small segments for their own political motives. Congress Party had always opposed this move and would continue to oppose such elements, he added.