CM presides over Himachal Mahasabha function at Chandigarh

5 Dariya News

Chandigarh 02-Feb-2014

Himachal Pradesh has emerged as a frontrunner State of the country in health, education and investment and credit this goes to the successive Congress Governments at the State as well Centre. This was stated by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh while presiding over the annual function of Himachal Mahasabha held at  Bhargava Auditorium , PGI, Chandigarh. Shri Virbhadra Singh said that the State was fortunate to have special benevolence of former Prime Ministers Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, Smt. Indira Gandhi and Shri Rajiv Gandhi. He said that today the State was fortunate to have blessings of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi who were equally considerate towards the development needs of the State. He said that when for the first time he contested the Lok Sabha election from erstwhile Mahasu, he had to travel over 1350 kms. on foot for campaigning as road connectivity was negligible, but today there were over 34000 kms. roads in the State.  He said that cent percent villages stands electrified and all the villages have potable drinking water.

Chief Minister said that the industrial package announced for Himachal Pradesh was terminated midway due to pressure mounted by neighbouring States. He said that now this package has been extended till 2017 which would give boost to industrialization in the State. He said that people of Himachal had sacrificed a lot for sake of neighbouring States by giving their prime land for construction of Bhakra Dam. He said that thousands of people still waits proper rehabilitation. He said that this has resulted in prosperity in neighbouring States including Punjab and Haryana.Virbhadra Singh said that Chandigarh was an important city of the region and it has emerged as a main centre of education, health and information technology. He said that people of Himachal Pradesh has also played a major role in making Chandigarh one of the major towns of the Northern India. He said that although there were several prestigious educational institutions in Himachal, still thousands of youth of the State opt Chandigarh for their higher studies.Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of Himachal Mahasabha Chandigarh for helping in preserving and showcasing the rich culture of the State at Chandigarh. He also appreciated the efforts of  Chief Patron of the Mahasabha Shri Rajender Rana in providing a platform for the people of Himachal Pradesh living in Chandigarh.Chief Minister honoured Professor and Head Ortho, PGI, Chandigarh Dr. Raj Bahadur, Professor and Head Cardiology Dr. Yashpal Sharma, Professor of Eye Department, PGI Dr. M.R. Dogra, Executive Magistrate, UT Shri D.S. Beloria and other dignitaries on the occasion. 

Earlier, Chief Minister inaugurated blood donation camp organized by Himachal Mahasabha and also released a souvenir brought out on the occasion.Industries Minister Shri Mukesh Agnihotri said that the former Chief Minister Shri Prem Kumar Dhumal has always been vindictive towards Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh. He said that in his earlier tenure Shri Dhumal framed a false Sagar Katha against Shri Virbhadra Singh and during his previous tenure a false CD case was framed against Shri Virbhadra Singh. He said that Shri Virbhadra Singh faced Session trial in both the cases and was exonerated in both these cases. He said that Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh changed the ‘Mission Repeat’ of BJP into ‘Mission Defeat’ in only 100 days campaign. He said that the Saikothi project was allotted by Dhumal Government in 2002, whereas the Congress Government imposed fine of Rs. 58 lakh besides terminating the project.Shri Agnihotri said that the BJP leader Shri Arun Jaitley organsised Press Conference at Delhi to malign the image of Chief Minister as he was also connected with Cricket and want to prove his solidarity with Shri Anurag Thakur. He said that prime land worth Rs. 250 crore was allotted to HPCA at Dharamshala, Nadaun, Shimla and Bilaspur on a lease amount of Rs. one per year. He said that Una district had witnessed unprecedented development during the Chief Ministership of Shri Virbhadra Singh. He said that Rs. 122 crore IIIT, Rs. 112 crore new industrial area and Rs. 40 crore for development of Chintpurni town were few projects approved for Una district. He said that Rs. 500 crore IOC depot and CSD depot would be opened in Una district, besides gas pipe line would be laid for Tahaliwal industrial area. 

Former Union Minister and MP Pawan Kumar Bansal said that people of Himachal Pradesh were making tremendous contributions in all spheres and they had played a major role in developing Chandigarh town. He said that tourism growth in Himachal Pradesh has also given boost to tourism development of Chandigarh, as people visiting Himachal also stay at Chandigarh. He said that he had special regard for Chief MinisterVirbhadra Singh who had a long political career spread over five decades and had distinction of having work with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to Congress Vice President Shri Rahul Gandhi. 

MLA and Chief Patron, Himachal Mahasabha Chandigarh Shri Rajender Rana said that the Mahasabha was an apt platform for Himachalis living at Chandigarh. He said that Dr. Parmar was the founder of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh was undoubtedly the architect of modern Himachal Pradesh. President, Himachal Mahasabha Chandigarh Shri M.P. Agnihotri welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries and detailed various activities being carried out by the Mahasabha. General Secretary, Himachal Mahasabha Shri S.L. Dogra presented vote of thanks.Colourful cultural programme was also held on the occasion.Shri I.D. Lakhanpal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Shri Vikramaditiya Singh, President, State Youth Congress, Shri Balbir Singh Sidhu, MLA, Mohali, Shri Kewal Singh Pathania, Vice Chairman, H.P. State Forest Corporation, Ms. Kulvinder Gurcharan Singh, Chairperson, IET, Badal, Shri Madan Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner, Solan, Dr. Ramesh Chhajata, SP, Solan and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.