Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh dedicated the Haridarshan ‘Jhoola’ bridge constructed at a cost of Rs. 84.60 lakh by Saini family at Mandyarpur near Nalagarh in Solan district today. He said that it was his moral duty to inaugurate this bridge which was dream project of former MLA of Nalagarh late Shri Hari Narayan Singh Saini. Chief Minister said that Shri Hari Narayan Singh Saini contributed a lot for the development of Nalagarh area and also spent from his own pocket for the welfare and development of the people. He said that there were many affluent and resourceful persons in the State who should come forward in helping poor and needy.Shri Virbhadra Singh welcomed brother of late Shri Hari Narayan Singh Saini and his family members alongwith numerous BJP party workers for joining the Congress Party. He said that each member of Saini family and their supporters would be given due regard and respect in the Congress and he would consider them as member of his family. Alround development of Nalagarh area would be ensured so as to fulfill the goals envisioned by late Shri Saini. He said that road from ‘Jhoola’ bridge to Nikowal to Nanowal would be constructed to benefit the people of 7-8 villages of Nalagarh.
Chief Minister said that all demands of opening and upgradation of schools, college, other developmental works etc. in the area would be considered sympathetically. Shri Virbhadra Singh said that he got the opportunity to work with all Prime Ministers of India right from Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru upto Dr. Manmohan Singh and he would remain indebted to the people of the State for electing him Chief Minister of the State for record sixth time. He said that today there were many political parties in the country and he respects all of them though they have different ideologies and policies. He and his party had always fought against the pisive forces who tried to gain political mileage in the name of religion, caste, creed and region. Chief Minister said that there were different way of living and religion in our country and we have unity in persity which was the hallmark of our country. He said that India had followed these principles since time immemorial and these were carried forward by Mahatma Gandhi ji, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and all our Prime Ministers. He urged the people to uphold these principles and never compromise with those forces trying to pide the country on narrow considerations.
Virbhadra Singh said that Himachal came into existence on 15th April, 1948 just after nine months of independence and Himachal was given a status of full State on 25th January, 1971 by former Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi. Himachal had made rapid strides in every sphere of development and today it stands amongst leading States of the country. He said that people of the State would always remember the Congress Party for carrying out development in all sectors. Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr.(Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil said that efforts would be made to provide railway facility in the Nalagarh area. He said that he supports the demand of making Punjabi language compulsory from 6th to 12th class in Nalagarh and other Punjab surrounding areas.Chairman, H.P. Buildings and other Construction Workers Welfare Board Bawa Hardeep Singh welcomed the Saini family into the Congress fold. He also demanded to upgrade High School in Dhar Panchayat to Plus two and speed up the work of Chikani bridge for which Rs. 8.5 crore had already been approved and Swarghat-Nalagarh road.
Former MLA Shri Lakhvinder Singh Rana said that State had witnessed tremendous progress under the dynamic leadership and vision of Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh. He said that Congress Party was strengthened with the joining of Saini family in Nalagarh area. President, Truck Operators Union Dabhota, Sardar Gurmukh Singh said that Dabhota area should be developed as industrial area as adequate land was available for the same, this would also provide work to truck Union. President, District Congress Committee Shri Rahul Singh Thakur welcomed the Chief Minister.
Sardar Avtar Singh Saini, brother of late Shri Hari Narayan Singh Saini said that their family did not get anything from BJP Government except sorrows. He said that even the dream project of ‘Jhoola’ bridge construction was not carried forward by the previous Government. Bibi Gurnam Kaur, wife of late Shri Hari Narayan Singh Saini said that she was thankful to the Chief Minister for inaugurating this ‘Jhoola’ bridge which was her husband last wish.
Health Minister Shri Kaul Singh Thakur, Industries and Information and Public Relations Minister Shri Mukesh Agnihotri, former MLAs Shri Lajja Ram and Major Krishna Mohini, President, Nagar Panchayat Nalagarh Smt. Alka Verma, Vice Chairman, HPSIDC Shri Atul Sharma, Vice Chairman, Small Savings Shri Prakash Karad, Arki Block Congress President Shri Sanjay Awasthi, Member BoD, HPTDC Shri Surender Sethi, Chairman, APMC, Solan Shri Ramesh Thakur, Member PCC Shri Ramesh Chauhan, Member Zila Parishad, Solan Shri Parmjeet Singh Pammi, General Secretary, PCC Shri Vinod Sultanpuri, Block Congress Committee Nalagarh General Secretary Shri Shiv Gopal, Advisor to Chief Minister Shri T.G. Negi, DC Solan Shri Madan Chauhan, SP Baddi Shri S. Arul Kumar, Director, Industries Shri Mohan Chauhan, senior officers and prominent persons of the area were present on the occasion.