Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today announced government degree colleges to be opened at Bhalei and Telka in dalhousie constituency of Chamba district. While addressing a mammoth public meeting at Thaakkrimatti in Salooni tehsil of the constituency, he said these colleges would be opened taking into consideration the strength of girl child in these far-off belts of Salooni tehsil.With this announcement, the strength of the degree colleges in the state would go up to 121. He also assured that the Salooni block would be designated as backward block of the Chamba district.He said that the MLA from the region Smt. Asha Kumari always think much before what was required to be done. She was farsighted leader and believes in serving the people of the State equally and had special care for the people of her own constituency.The Chief Minister said that his relation with the people of the state was not to gain political mileage but he was associated with the people from his very soul. He cautioned the people not to believe in false promises of BJP as its leaders always believed in ‘Divide and Rule’ and their DNA was such, that they can't, even if so ever willing, tread on the path of truth. He said that the BJP believes in regionalism, religionism and casteism and never think about welfare of the people at large.
He said that as of today, there was more Muslim population in India than in Pakistan. They ( BJP) had no right to criticise the people on basis of region and caste. India was a secular state and will ever remain so, he said, adding that many sacrifices were made to gain independence and people should not fall in trap of few handful people, which could be detrimental for the Nation. He said that due to connivance of state BJP leaders with central leadership, three investigating agencies were probing his single case. When Shri Prem Kumar Dhumal became the Chief Minister, he framed false cases against me twice and at both the times, I faced the session trial and was acquitted by the court, he said. It was the modus-operandi of BJP to try implicating him in false cases or openly criticise him whenever the elections to the state legislative assembly were in the corner. Earlier, he laid foundation stone of augmentation of Saloni-Manjeer-Sundal-Diur water supply scheme Rs 34.69 crore to benefit as many as 437 habitations of 21 panchayats and population of 30 thousand besides estimated population of 42 thousand by 2048. The panchayats to be benefited include Salooni, Singhadhaar,Bayana,Manjeer, Sundla, Pukhri, Kharal, Siula,Ligga, Thaakrimatti, Salwaan, Diur, Manjali, Daand, Lanot and seven other panchayats.He also dedicated an Ayurveda dispensary at Thaakrimatti near Bhalei Mata.
Shri Virbhadra Singh laid foundation stone of science block of Government Senior Secondary School building Bhalei to cost Rs 1.40 crore, and HPPWD rest house at Bhalei in tehsil Salooni to cost Rs 1.86 crore. This would benefit the pilgrims visiting the temple. He also inaugurated a Primary Health Centre at Barangaal completed with an outlay of Rs 78 lakh and laid foundation stone of Community Health Centre at Baathri to cost a Rs 5.93 crore. The Chief Minister earlier gave approval for upgradation of few schools at Manjeer after laying foundation stone of Rs 35 crore drinking water supply scheme. The Schools to be upgraded include Government Primary School Suri in Gram Panchayat (GP) Suri and Behadoei in GP Baadka to middle schools, Government Middle Schools Bhandar in GP Dighai, GMS Chakoli in GP Suri, GMS, Bhadroh in GP Sanooh, GMS, Karwaal in GP Karwaal GMS Pukhri in GP Pukhri, GMS Kaandi in GP Bhalei to high schools, Government High School, Grohan Gulel in GP Pichala Diur to senior secondary school and also announced new Primary School at Kharothi in GP Kharothi, Dhadunja in GP Kihar, Hangoi in GP Bhadela and Kaahla in GP Karwal.The Chief Minister also paid obeisance at Bhalei Mata Temple and performed Pooja.
Secretary AICC and MLA from the region Smt. Asha Kumari accorded warm welcome to the Chief Minister. She said he was in politics from last 52 years since 1962 and worked with former Prime Ministers Jawahar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Narasimha Rao, Rajeev Gandhi and others and became the Chief Minister of the state in 1983, adding that he never did any business in Punjab or the business of pipes. Hinting at BJP, she said that Shri Virbhadra Singh was the leader of the masses and was not a leader just for the sake of fame and name. She expressed surprise that few people were eyeing on exit of Shri Virbhadra Singh from active politics but before they should peep within themselves that whether they deserved and have the support and love of people as Virbhadra has. She said that BJP leaders believe in propaganda and lies and termed the BJP as "Bahut Jhuti Party". She said that the people of the state understand well that the state was safe in hands of Shri Virbhadra Singh. She also listed the development of the area and thanked the Chief Minister for dedicating projects worth Rs 45 crore in her assembly and announcing a lift for Bhalei Mata Temple. Amar Chand Sharma, Pradhan, Thaakrimatti, also welcomed and honoured the Chief Minister and honoured him. Forest Minister, Thakur Singh Bharmouri, Chairman, State Pollution Control Board, Kuldeep Singh Pathania, DCC President, Surinder Bharadwaj, Chairman, Zila Parishad, Dharam Singh Pathania, Chairman, APMC, Chamba, Neeraj Nayar, BCC, President, Raj Kumar Thakur,, Chairman Bhalei Mata Trust, Kamal Thakur, Block Youth Congress President, Amit Sharma were also present on the occasion amongst others.