The government is committed to promote religious tourism at Tattapani and to restore its lost glory. The matter regarding restoration of springs and ‘Bathing Ghats ’would soon be taken up both with National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam limited (SJVNL) to soon prepare the detailed report of the project and undertake the restoration work soon.This was stated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while addressing a public meeting at Tattapani in Mandi district today.The Chief Minister declared the Maha Makarsankranti fair, Tattapani as district level festival. He said that religious places as Mahu Nag, Kamru Nag, Shikari Devi, Rewalsar would be developed from religious point of view to promote tourism and the matter would be raised with the centre Government .He said that the Makarsankranti festival was celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm at Tattapani. Recollecting old memories, he said that he used to come for a holy dip way back when the sulphur springs were just adjacent to the banks of the river Sutlej and this festival was of great importance to the people of Tattapani and adjoining areas. He said that there was lot of scope for religious and adventure tourism in the state and every measure will be taken to restore the lost glory of Tattapani.He said that though we were certain that BJP will come to power, but there many speculations as to who would be the Chief Minister. Similarly when the results were out, still there was not a clear consensus as to who would be the Chief Minister.
The National BJP President Amit Shah in his speech at Thunag though had hinted of bigger responsibility to me , but believe me, I never had dreamt that I would be entrusted with the responsibility of serving the people as Chief Minister.He credited this feat of BJP to the people of Mandi district, where congress could not even open its mark. I know that there was still a pain being felt by congress leaders of losing elections, but they should accept the verdict of the people wholeheartedly, he said. The people of the state were anxiously waiting for ousting the congress out of power which had burdened the state with a debt loan of Rs 46500 crore. Despite the financial assistance from the centre, the development was nil. Just nearing elections, 40 to 50 inaugurations and foundations stones were laid by the former Chief Minister and other congress leaders almost every-day sitting in their offices, said the Chief Minister. The congress leaders befooled the people. The foundation and inauguration plaques were later sent to be installed in vehicles thus starting a new culture of taking credit of development, but lastly in vain, he jibed. This is not the way to lay foundation stones and perform inaugurations, he said. The law and order was completely in disorder. We still can’t forget the rape and murder of Guddiya, he said. The culprits were being protected. The BJP raised its voice to submit the case to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), but the congress government delayed the case a lot.
A Nepalese named Suraj, considered to be a witness was murdered in custody. The law agencies later handed over the spoiled case over to CBI. Same happened with forest Guard Hoshiar Singh, he said. There will be no more Mafia Raj in the state he said, adding that responsibilities will be fixed. Chief Minister said that there would be zero-tolerance to corruption and the government would be open to suggestions. He said that to protect women from atrocities, we have opened a Guddiya helpline and a special cell will be created in all three Police ranges and the report of crime against women if any, is to be submitted to Chief Ministers office in 48 hours. He said that the age limit for old age pension had been reduced to 70 years from the existing 80 earlier so as to benefit the elderly. It was the responsibility of every government towards its elderly, said the Chief Minister. He also detailed about the decision pertaining to abandoned cattle, and a sub-committee has been formed to formulate a substantive policy in this regard. He also exhorted the Panchayats to extend its cooperation in this regard. We also took a decision to oust out the tired and retired from government jobs. It sometimes become important to carry on the services of those re-employed, but to re-employ in thousands was an absurd decision of congress, whereas the number of un-employed were increasing. The Chief Minister said that the unemployment allowance was also a disastrous decision of the congress government, adding that the decision also did not pay to them in elections. The Chief Minister directed the SJVNL for developing a ground near and around Tattapani. He directed to prepare detailed Project report of Karsog by-pas as soon as possible. The Chief Minister also directed to prepare DPR for a road to Maanju, and announced a sum of Rs.10 lakh to begin with initially. He also paid obeisance at Narsing and Lakshmi Narayan Temple at Tattapani.It is worth mentioning that Makar-Sankranti is celebrated every year at Tattapani on the banks of river Sutlej, (now a reservoir, Kol Dam), with great fervour, enthusiasm and gaiety from times immemorial wherein people from far off corners come to take a holy dip in hot water springs.
However, after the reservoir submerged the hot water springs the state government had restored few by drilling at Tattapani keeping in the view the unwavering faith of the people for a holy dip on several occasions.Earlier, the Chief Minister visited the State Level Legal Services Camp at Sunni. Chief Minister himself took sulphur bath in a pool at Hotel Hot springs and later unveiled the statue of Lord ‘Shani Dev’ near Lakshmi Narayan Temple and congratulated the people on occasion of Makarsankranti. It was decided way back, before the elections result to erect and the statue of Shani dev, but it was uncertain and never I believed that after being a Chief Minister, I will do that, said the Chief Minister and this was committed by MP Ram Swaroop Sharma.He earlier inaugurated the medical Camp organised jointly by Hedgewar Samiti, Durga Devi Bihari Lal Birochan Lal (DDBL) Charitable Trust and Almighty Blessings at Tattapani. The President of Hedegwar Samiti Bodh Raj said that the organisations was involved in social works besides conducting various awareness camps. Named after Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the founder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the Samiti help poor and provided relief in times of floods, fire incidents, etc and other mishaps besides organising blood donation camps, helping poor children to pursue their studies, medical camps etc. The DDBL trust is also organising the ‘Langar’(community feast) and assisting in organising medical camp from last 91 years as per its President Ramesh Sood. He said that the community feast in form of ‘Khichdi’ on Makar-sankranti was started 91 years before, by his ancestors and the tradition had been carried on since then.
Doctors from Indira Gandhi Medical College conducted free medical tests besides rendering necessary medical assistance to the patients in the Camp organised by Hedgewar Samiti. MLA Hira Lal presented a cheque of Rs 21 thousand to Hedgewar Samiti.The forest contractor association presented a cheque of Rs 2 Lakh towards CM Relief Fund. Tattapani Mela Committee presented a cheque of Rs. 51 thousand to the Chief Minister towards CM Relief Fund. Besides,Beopar Mandal Tattapani also presented a cheque of Rs. 21 thousand and Secretary, District BJP, Kamal Thakur contributed a sum of Rs 11 thousand towards the CM Relief Fund.Member of Parliament, Ram Swaroop Sharma, MLA, Karsog, Hira Lal also welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries present on the occasion. Both MP Ram Swaroop and MLA Hira lal advocated for restoring the hot water springs with help of NTPC as soon as possible. They said that requests were made time and again to the previous government for developing hot springs but little has been done in this direction. Ram Swaroop Sharma urged for declaring Makar-sankranti Mela as district level fair. MLA also urged for providing forest clearance for as many as 22 roads in Karsog under PMGSY, the work on which has been delayed a lot. He also placed several other demands of the area before the Chief Minister.CMD, Sutlej Jai Vidyut Nigam, Nand Lal, Se retreat district BJP, Kamal Thakur, representatives of Yuvak and Mahila Mandals, were also present on the occasion besides others.