Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today inaugurated four day long Lavi Fair at Rampur in district Shimla today.While speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister said that a Government Degree College would be opened at Nankhari for which Deputy Commissioner Shimla had been given directions to identify a suitable land. He said that roads play a very important role in development of the area, adding that 46 gram Panchayats of Rampur sub-pision had been provided road facility while remaining two Panchayats- Koot and Kashapath would get road connectivity during next year before the start of summer season. He said that a new bridge would be constructed near new Bus Stand Rampur to ease traffic congestion. He said that a target had been fixed to construct 475 kms long motorable roads, 40 kms jeepable roads and providing cross drainage facility on 620 kms road length in the State. Besides, mettaling and tarring work on 570 kms road was also under progress and 80 villages would be provided road connectivity during this year along-with constructing 35 bridges.
He said that government was working hard for all-round and speedy development of the State and it was being ensured that every section of the society was benefited through various welfare policies and programmes of the government. The State had launched Rajiv Gandhi Ann Yojana under which 36.82 lakh people were being provided three kgs of wheat at the rate of Rs. 2 per kg and 2 kgs of rice at the rate of Rs. 3 per kg. Besides Antodaya families were also being given a quota of 15 kgs of rice and 20 kgs pf wheat per month as before. To provide housing facility to the houseless poor, the State government had enhanced the housing grant from Rs. 48,500 to Rs. 75,000. The educated youth aged between 18 to 35 years of age were being given Skill Development Allowance and they were also being provided ample avenues for employment and self-employment. To provide better transport facility to the commuters in the State, government had decided to purchase new 1000 buses. Reiterating the resolve of the government to preserve the rich culture and traditions of the State, Chief Minister said effective steps were being initiated to promote the folk culture through various festivals and fairs of the State. He also inaugurated the exhibitions put up by various government departments, NGO’s and public sector undertakings. He also released the Souvenir brought out by the Lavi Fair Organising Committee.
Earlier, Shri Virbhadra Singh also inaugurated the multi-specialty health camp at Khaneri hospital. He also inaugurated Arts and Library Block of the Rampur College constructed at a cost of Rs. 4.66 crore and the office of Executive Engineer (I&PH) at Rampur Bushahr.
Speaking on the occasion, MP Smt. Pratibha Singh extended greetings to the people of the area on Lavi Fair. She said this fair was famous for its historical and cultural background and it had also emerged as one of the big commercial fair of the North India. Smt Singh said she was well aware of the problems of the people of the areas and she would raise these issues with the Government of India. Chief Parliamentary Secretary Shri Nand Lal thanked the Chief Minister for ensuring speedy development of the area which had come to stand still during the tenure of previous BJP government. Earlier, Deputy Commissioner and Chairman Lavi Fair Organising Committee, Shri Dinesh Malhotra welcomed the Chief Minister. He also detailed about the various activities to be organized during the four day festival. Shri Deepak Sood, Chairman, MC proposed vote of thanks.Shri Khoob Ram, MLA, Shri Kehar Singh Khachi, President Shimla District Congress Committee, Shri Chandreshwar Prasad, Chairman, Zila Parishad, Vice President, HPSIDC Shri Atul Sharma, Chairman, Kailash Federation Shri Brij Lal, Chairman, Agriculture Rural Development Bank Shri Devi Singh Jistu, President, Rampur Block Congress Shri Satish Verma, District Mahila Congress President Smt. Chander Prabha Negi, Advisor to the Chief Minister Shri T.G Negi and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.