Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh said that State Government was according top priority for construction of roads as these were the lifeline for the hill States like Himachal Pradesh. He was addressing a huge gathering at Khatnol village in Shimla Rural Assembly constituency after inaugurating the newly upgraded Middle School at Mool Bhaji and 2 kms. long Deothi-Link road at Thaila constructed at a cost of Rs 78 lakh. Earlier, he also laid foundation stone of Animal Husbandry Hospital Building at Banuna in Gram Panchayat Himari to be constructed at a cost of Rs 65 lakh.
Chief Minister said that the State Government was laying special emphasis on construction and maintenance of roads in the State as economy of the State largely depends on roads. He said that 515 km motorable roads and 35 bridges would be constructed during the current financial year which would ensure road connectivity to 80 additional villages of the State.
Virbhadra Singh said that an amount of Rs 3836 crore has been earmarked for the education sector during the current financial year, which was 17.6 per cent of the total budget. He said that for encouraging the meritorious students any student of Himachal Pradesh getting admission in prestigious national level institutions such as IITs, IIMs or AIIMS would be given a cash incentive of Rs 75,000. He said that the State Government has decided to provide Skill Development Allowance of Rs 1000 per month to 10+2 and above educated unemployed youth. He said that a State Skill Development Council would also be established in the State to enhance professional skills of the youth. Chief Minister said that all the pending 10,900 cases of Social Security pension had been sanctioned and now they would be provided social security pension at an enhanced rate of Rs 500 per month. He said that pensioners above 80 years of age would be given this pension at the rate of Rs 1000 per month. He said that the Government was ensuring the benefits of development reaches the person living at the lowest ebb.
Virbhadra Singh said that the State Government had already upgraded Middle School Dabri to High School, Primary School Hibban to Middle School, High School Patkhuar, Neen and Mandhol Ghat to Senior Secondary School. He said that the State Government has fulfilled most of the announcements made by him on the occasion of Himachal day function held at Sunni.
Chief Minister honoured Shri Khem Raj Sharma for providing four rooms for running Primary Health Centre at Gulthani.
Virbhadra Singh was accorded rousing reception at various places during his one day tour to his home constituency. Chairman, Block Congress Committee, Rural Shri Chander Shekhar Sharma said that the pace of development has been accelerated after the present State Government took over the reins of the State. General Secretary, Block Congress Committee, Shimla Rural Ms. Anita Sharma welcomed the Chief Minister. President, Gram Panchayat Khatnol Shri Ramesh Kumar proposed vote of thanks.
MLA Shri Anirudh Singh, Chairman, Zila Parishad Shri Chandreshwar Prasad, President Shimla District Rural Congress Shri Kehar Singh Khachi, Advisor to Chief Minister Shri T.G. Negi, Deputy Commissioner Shri Dinesh Malhotra, Superintendent of Police Shri Abhishek Dullar and other prominent persons were present on the occasion.