Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said that the State Government was ensuring equitable and speedy development of all areas of the state besides ensuring that there was no compromise with quality, while executing the developmental works. He said a large number of health and educational institutes had been opened during the present tenure of the state government besides providing road, drinking water and irrigation to facilitate the people. He was addressing the people during the closing ceremony of four-day long International Lavi fair at Rampur Bushahr in Shimla district today.The Chief Minister complimented the people of the area on the occasion of the traditional Lavi fair, adding that with a view to celebrate these fairs in a much befitting way, the State Government had given international status to many fairs organised in various districts of the state. He said these festivals were not only the medium of entertainment, but these immensely help in promoting and carrying forward our century old traditions, culture and folk languages.The Chief Minister said it was unfortunate that this year trade was affected to a large scale and people also showed enthusiasm during Lavi fair as compared to previous years due to demonetization policy of the government of India.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones of developmental works worth Rs. 60 crore in Rampur constituency including roads, water supply schemes, horticulture office and primary health centre in the constituency.He laid foundation stone of restoration and beautification of eight ancient temples and creation of tourist facilities at Rampur Bushahr and surrounding areas. These include Ayodhya temple, Bhimakali temple, Bodh temple, Chuvacha temple, Dattatrey temple, Guffa temple, Narsingh temple and Raghunath temple. A sum of Rs. 18.65 crore would be spent on beautification and restoration of these temples by the Himachal Tourism Board with funding from the Asian Development bank.He inaugurated scheduled caste (girls) hostel at P.G College Rampur Bushahr constructed at a cost of Rs. 259.28 lakh. He also laid foundation stones of up-gradation of Bhadrash, Brandli road in gram panchayat Devnagar to come up at a cost of Rs. 944.29 lakh, Palzara-Pie-Ghincha-Shingral road to be constructed by spending Rs. 200 lakh and up-gradation of Bahli-Nehra road to be carried out at an outlay of Rs. 124.02 lakh.
The Chief Minister inaugurated Ayurvedic dispensary at Narain, additional accommodation of GSSS Narain, Horticulture Extension Office Bahli, office-cum-residence of Assistant Engineer (PWD) at Taklech and lift irrigation scheme Bhdawali-Kumsu. He laid foundation stones of Shinti Kainchi to Dharla road, construction of Gaura-Jarind road and also inaugurated primary health centre building at Barachand Kangra Central Cooperative Bank branch at Brow (Anni). He directed the Bank authorities to install ATM of the bank in this branch to facilitate the local people. He laid foundation stone of Ucchi Shah-Dofda-Daran-Devathi road to be completed at an outlay of Rs. 944.29 lakh.Shri Virbhadra Singh distributed the prizes to the winners of exhibitions put up by various government departments and non-government organizations during the Lavi fair. The Animal Husbandry department won the first prize while second prize was won by Agriculture department and third prize was shared by Pahal scheme of Shimla district and Health department. In Handloom and Handicraft category, Shri Dola Ram of Kullu was given first prize, Shri Ram Singh of Kullu second prize and Smt. Yashwanti Negi from Kinnaur won the third prize.
State Youth Congress President Shri Vikramaditya Singh in his address thanked the Chief Minister for giving the international status to Lavi fair which was a trade fair being celebrated from a long period of time. He appreciated the efforts of the State Government for preserving and promoting the rich cultural of the state.He said under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh, the State Government was according top priority to provide best education, health and road facility to the people of the State. He said it was a matter of great pride to the State that Himachal Pradesh had recently been ranked the best state in education sector in the category of big states of the country. He added the Himachal Government had successfully implemented the skill development scheme which had helped a large number of youth in getting training in various sectors and employment opportunities.
Chief Parliamentary Secretary Shri NandLal thanked the Chief Minister on behalf of the people of the Rampur area for presiding over the closing ceremony of the fair and also for dedicating and laying foundation stones of various developmental projects. He said the constituency had witnessed all-round development in all sectors during last around four years.The Chief Minister later presided over the cultural evening organised in the ground of GSSS Rampur Bushahr and also released the Souvenir brought out by the Lavi Fair Organizing Committee.District Rural Congress Committee President Shri Kehar Singh Khachi, Chairman HP Kangra Central Cooperative Bank Shri Jagdish Sipahiya, Chairman Kailash Federation Shri BrijLal, Vice Chairman HPSIDC Shri Atul Sharma, Chairman APMC Shimla and Kinnaur Shri Mahender Satan, Chairman APMC Kullu Shri Upender Kant Mishra, Secretary HPCC Smt. Chander Prabha Negi, Chairman Nagar Parishad Rampur Bushahr Smt. Meena Kumari, Vice Chairman Shri Deepak Sood, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Shri T.G Negi, Secretary GAD-cum-Mission Director HP Tourism Board Shri Mohan Chauhan were also present on the occasion.