Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said that despite financial constraints, his Government was committed to keep the pace of development by providing sufficient financial resources for all-round development of the State and fulfilling all the promises made to the people of the State.He was addressing a public meeting at Salooni in Chamba district today. He said that previous BJP Government left behind the deficit of more than 10,000 crore and the case of the State was not well pleaded with the Finance Commission. The 13th Finance Commission grossly underestimated the committed liabilities of the State and the lowest increase of 50 percent was recommended for the State.
The Chief Minister said that the present Government was giving top priority to health, education and road sectors to benefit the common people upto the farthest corners of the State. He said that 15 degree colleges had been opened by the present Government besides opening and upgradation of 350 schools. Moreover, the decision had also been taken to re-open all 149 schools de-notified by the previous Government so that the students of the primary schools need not to walk more than two kilometers. Earlier, he laid foundation stone of PHC Brangal to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 78 lakh and PHC Sundla to be constructed at a cost of Rs.79 lakh. He also laid the foundation stone of GSSS building, Salooni which would be constructed by spending Rs. 2.94 crore.
Shri Virbhadra Singh said that his Government had taken care of all sections of the society in its budget passed for the next financial year. The Government had made sufficient budgetary provisions for all welfare sectors and the common man had been the focus of all policies and programmes.He said that the matter regarding enhancement of remuneration being given to the special police officers deployed in Salooni area would be taken up vigorously with the Government of India. He said that the State Government would provide Rs. 1000 to each officer per month till the matter was not cleared from the Centre.
The Chief Minister said that Punjabi and Urdu would be introduced in the 100 schools of the State for which regular teachers would be appointed. He announced to upgrade GHS Mangali, Ligga, Bhunad and Lahara to Government Senior Secondary School and Granger,Garohan, Bajwad middle schools to Government High Schools. He announced to upgrade Paja High School to Government Senior Secondary School and Dekhari Middle School to High School. He also announced to open Government Primary Schools at Lodli and Sagwadi.
The Chief Minister said that Urdu classes would be started in GSSS Bhandal, Kyar, Diur, Manghli, Dand and Telka and Sangni High School.He said that Yatri Niwas would be constructed at Bhalai Mata Temple complex and veterinary dispensary would also be upgraded.Shri Virbhadra Singh honoured Shri Ashwani Kumar of Bhandal who scaled the Mount Everest. He also released two books of Shri Gian Chand a local writer. Forest Minister Shri Thakur Singh Bharmouri said that a target had been fixed for eradication of lantana in 10,000 hectares forest area during the next financial year. He said that 45 lakh herbal plants of 91 species would be planted during coming financial year. He said that the State Government had amended the TD rights and the Timber would be available at cheaper rates.
Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Asha Kumari, MLA thanked the Chief Minister for giving added priority for the development of Chamba district. She said that most of the offices in the district were opened up due to the efforts of Congress Governments while BJP Government shifted many offices out of Dalhousie constituency. She urged the Chief Minister to take up the matter with the Government of India for upgradation of Brangal-Sundla-Langera road.Chander Kumar, former MP said that State was scaling new heights of development under the able leadership of Shri Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister. He said that all the schemes of the Government of India have benefited all sections of the society including Himachal Pradesh.Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Chairman, State Pollution Control Board, Shri Surender Bhardwaj, District Congress President, Shri Dharam Signh Pathania, Vice President, BDC Salooni, Shri Kamal Thakur, Vice President, District Congress Shri Pawan Thakur, Vice President, Zila Parishad Chamba, Shri Mukesh Sharma, BDC Member Salooni, Shri Iqbal Magra, President District Congress Minority Cell also spoke on the occasion. Shri Raj Kumar, President, Chamba Block Congress welcomed the Chief Minister.
Shri Kewal Singh Pathania, Vice Chairman, State Forest Development Corporation, Shri Neeraj Nayyar, Chairman, APMC, Chamba and other prominent person of the area were present on the occasion.