While addressing a public meeting at Balghar in Chopal constituency of Shimla district, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government would give top priority on the development of those areas which remained neglected so far in matter of development.The Chief Minister said that the State was known for its rich culture and tradition and he has great respect for the rich culture of the State. It was unfortunate that some Opposition leaders who have little respect and knowledge for our tradition and culture and were making unnecessary comments against it. He said that he himself was from a humble background and understands the developmental needs of a common man. In the very first State Cabinet the State government lowered the age limit of old age pension without income limit from 80 to 70 years and this decision has benefitted 1.30 lakh aged people of the State. He said that it was for the first time that 30 new schemes have been announced in the budget with adequate budget provisions.Jai Ram Thakur said that the some of his friends in the Opposition were not even able to digest his visits to Delhi to call on the Union leaders for detailed discussions on developmental needs of the State. He said that now when the State Government has succeeded in getting Central assistance of Rs 4365 crore for the State, these leaders has nothing to say. The people of the State were well aware what the previous State government did in the five years for the State.He said that at Balghar he laid foundation stones and inaugurated 13 developmental projects. He said that Chopal Assembly constituency has remained neglected in matter of development for the last many years.
The Chief Minister said that the State Government has started heli taxi service in the State and for the first time in the country the State government was using the State helicopter as heli taxi from Shimla to Chandigarh for three days in a week. He said that the Union Government sanctioned 69 highways for the State and now the State Government has prepared DPRs of 54 National Highways so that the projects could be executed at the earliest. He said that the tenure of UPA at the Centre had been tarnished with various blots of corruptions and scams. Today the Modi government at the Centre was ensuring that India emerges as a major power amongst the major countries of the world.Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated LWSS to village Shirguli Kadaharan, Ghasi Gaon Madhog in Gram Panchayat Ghorna and Ghoond constructed at a cost of Rs 83.83 lakh, Ghalana to Kishore portion road, Deha to Kathori road, Tikkar to Dhunakhar road and Shalowa to Katheog road constructed at a cost of Rs 217 lakh, Rs 82 lakh, Rs 34 lakh and Rs 90 lakh respectively.The Chief Minister laid foundation stones of Kuthar-Pundar portion road from Bhulti to Pundar under PMGSY to be constructed at a cost of Rs 200 lakh, Indoor Adventure hall at Senior Secondary School Deha to be constructed at a cost of Rs 70 lakh, matteling and tarring work of Meha to Tali Kholna road to be completed at a cost of Rs 352 lakh, PHC building at Basadhar to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 185 lakh, mettaling and tarring work of Dhaman Kenchi to Dhar road to be completed at a cost of Rs. 78 lakh, building of Senior Secondary School Dhar Tarpunu (Tali) to be built at a cost of Rs. 153 lakh, irrigation scheme through pipe from Bharara khud to Katiyana in Gram Panchayat Balghar on which Rs. 45.75 lakh will be spent and also laid foundation stone of Rs. 67.90 lakh Lift Water Supply Scheme from Dwada khad to village Kharku in Gram Panchayat Kuthar.
The Chief Minister announced that a helipad would be constructed at Ghagal for promoting the area from tourism point of view. He announced Rs 5 lakh each for three roads of the area, Rs. 15 lakh for Ayurvedic dispensary, Primary School at Kanouli, High School Damayana to Senior Secondary School, Rs 50 lakh for Senior Secondary Tali, starting of science classes at GSS School Ghoond and PHC to be opened at Tali, upgradation of PHC Baldhar to CHC with 30 beds,. He also announced upgradation of Police Post Deha to Police Station and opening of Horticulture Sub Centre at Basadhar.Balsan Ghood Welfare Association presented a draft of Rs 51000 to the Chief Minister towards the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that the people of the State has given a massive mandate to the BJP in the State and due to benevolence of the Prime Minister and BJP National President, the State got a honest and dynamic Chief Minister in the form of Jai Ram Thakur. He said that from the day one the State Government was working for the welfare of the poor and marginalized section of the society. He said that the increase in import costume duty on apples would ensure remunerative prices of apple to the farmers. He said that all the functional posts would be filled on priority so that the study of the students does not suffer due to the need of the staff. He announced two additional rooms for the school at Balghar Panchayat.
Member of Parliament Virender Kashyap said that the Union Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was considerate towards the developmental needs of the State. He said that the six month tenure of the State Government has witnessed unprecedented development in all spheres. The Opposition leaders were failing to digest the growing popularity of the State Government. He said that due to the efforts of the Union Government, the Import (Custum) duty of apple has been enhanced from 50 per cent to 75 per cent thereby benefitting apple growers of the State.MLA Chopal Balbir Verma said that it was after 27 years that the people of Chopal Assembly constituency has elected the BJP candidate to represent their constituency. He said that the people of the area have lot of expectations from the Chief Minister and hoped that the area would scale new heights under his leadership. He urged the CM to announce a 30 to 50 bedded hospital at Balghar.President Gram Panchayat Balghar Sangeeta Moktha, welcomed the Chief Minister and detailed various developmental demands of the area.MLA Narinder Bragta, Chairman, HP State Co-operative Bank Khushi Ram Balnatah, Chairman APMC Naresh Sharma, BJP Mandal President Mangat Ram Sharma and State BJP Working Committee Member Seema Mehta were present on the occasion among others.