Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today the State Government was committed towards the welfare of the serving soldiers, ex-servicemen and their families and had initiated several schemes for their welfare as a token of respect for the services rendered by them for the cause of the Nation.He was addressing after performing Bhoomi Pujan of the Shaheed Samarak and Park to be constructed at Bilaspur.Earlier, the Chief Minister paid floral tributes to the Martyrs on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas.Transport and Forest Minister Govind Thakur, MLAs Rajinder Garg, J.R. Katwal, Subash Thakur, Former MP Suresh Chandel, Former MLA Randhir Sharma, Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sanjay Kundu, Deputy Commissioner Bilaspur, ex-servicemen and other people from different walks of life joined the Chief Minister in paying floral tributes to the Kargil martyrs.Jai Ram Thakur said that as many as 52 brave sons of the State laid down their lives for the cause of the Nation in the Kargil war, out of which seven were from Bilaspur district. He said that out of the four Param Vir Chakras given during the Kargil aggression, two were given to the brave sons of Himachal Pradesh. He said that this speaks of the valour and bravery of the soldiers of the State.
The Chief Minister said that it becomes duty of each one of us to not let the supreme sacrifices of these great sons of soil go wasted. We were safe and secure today because of the vigil and sacrifice of our soldiers guarding our frontiers. He said that the today the Nation was safe and secure under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that today Shri Modi was acknowledged universally as the world leader due to his popularity.He said that the State Government had succeeded in getting Central assistance worth Rs. 6000 crore due to the benevolence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi . He said that the State Government was working with a single motto of making Himachal Pradesh a most developed State of the country.The Chief Minister said that that work on four lane of Kiratpur to Manali road would be expedited. Rs. 66 crore water supply scheme for Bilaspur would be completed soon and dedicated to the people at the earliest. He said that efforts would be made to develop Bilaspur from tourism point of view.He announced that five new buses would be provided to Bilaspur and efforts would be made to construct new bus stand at Bilaspur. He announced that the office of Chief Conservator Fire would be restored at Bilaspur which was shifted by the previous State Government. He announced that Rs 11000 would be contributed by every Minister and Rs 5100 by every BJP MLA for construction of the Shaeehad Saamarak.Chief Minister was honoured by several social, cultural, religious and political organisations on the occasion.
Later, the Chief Minister laid foundation stone of HPSEB Ltd. Sub Division Office building to be constructed at a cost of Rs 40 lakh. This would benefit over 60,000 population of about eight Panchayats of the area.He honoured parents of Paramvir Chakra winner Sanjay Kumar and family members of other Kargil Martyrs of Bilaspur district.Sanjeev Rana Organiser of 'Ek Eint Shaheedon Ke Naam' campaign welcomed the Chief Minister and apprised him about the Shaheed Samarak. He made an appeal to the people to contribute generously towards the 'Ek Eint Shaheedon ke Naam', so that tribute could be paid to the Martyrs of the Nation.Local MLA Subhash Thakur thanked the Chief Minister for providing much needed relief to the Bhakra Dam oustees in the recently held State Cabinet. He also urged the Chief Minister to develop Bilaspur as a major tourist destination as area had ample opportunities in water sports.MLA Rajinder Garg said that the State was forging ahead on the path of progress and prosperity under the leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.MLA J.R. Katwal said that it becomes duty of each one of us to work with dedication and commitment for nation rebuilding so that the sacrifices made by our great sons for cause of the nation did not go wasted.Former MLA and Chief Spokesman State BJP Randhir Sharma thanked the Chief Minister for selecting Bilaspur district for celebration of Kargil Vijay Diwas. He said that Bilaspur district was not only one of the districts of the State with maximum number of serving soldiers, but the district has also made great sacrifice by giving their prime land for construction of two major dams- Bhakra Dam and Kol Dam for the development and prosperity of the nation.Forest and Transport Minister Govind Singh Thakur, MLAs, Former MP Suresh Chandel, Vice Chairman Khadi Board Sanjiv Katwal, General Secretary Child Welfare Council Payal Vaidya, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister Trilok Jamwal were also present on the occasion among others.