Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that state government was making all out efforts to give new dimension to the tourism sector in the state by strengthening the infrastructure and other facilities. He said efforts were being made to develop unexplored destinations to attract the tourists that would not only generate more revenue to the state but would also provide ample self-employment opportunities to the youth.He was addressing a public meeting at Bali Chowki in Seraj Assembly constituency of Mandi district on the occasion of the ‘Him Resham Utsava’ organized by Industries department.He said that Heli taxi services had been started between Shimla and Chandigarh and very shortly heli taxi service would be started from Manali to Rohtang to facilitate the tourists. Similarly, efforts would be made to provide this facility to the tourists from Dharamshala to Chamba and Dalhousie and from Manali to Chandigarh.He said the state had opened Seri Entrepreneurship Development and Innovation Centre (SDDIC) in the remote area of Mandi district to provide an opportunity to the people to connect with silk industry for self employment. It is one of the industries where people can work from home for enhancing their income besides contributing in a constructive manner towards development of their village and state as a whole. He said especially women would be benefited with this centre as after getting training from here, they would be able to contribute towards family income.
Jai Ram Thakur said the state government has launched 'Silk Samagr' project to promote sericulture and silk weaving and a provision of Rs. 50 crore had been made under this scheme for current fiscal to benefit farmers. Besides, a sum of Rs. 10 crore and Rs. 3 crore would be released under Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and Scheduled Tribe Sub Plan respectively.The Chief Minister said that last five months had been witness to remarkable achievements and the government was working to benefit all sections of the society and development of each area by rising above the political considerations. He said Jan Manch programme started by the government was an unique initiative to redress people grievances. The state government had also launched Girhini Yojana to provide LPG connections to all left out households who had not been covered under the Ujjawala scheme of the government of India for which the state government was providing Rs. 3500.He said that work on drinking water supply scheme amounting to Ts, 50 crore would be started from Bali Chowki area to benefit around 17,000 people of 190 villages. He announced to provide budget for completion of Dhar-Khani, Bounchari, Devi Thach-Dhera and Maani-Shegli roads and maintenance of primary school Suregi.
He also announced to upgrade GPS Ghatwad to middle school and GMS Molu to high school from next academic session. He also announced financial assistance for construction of sarai bhawans at four places in the constituency.The Chief Minister on public demand announced to start bus service between Baaghi to Mandi.He distributed the prizes to the progressive farmers of the state on this occasion.Earlier, he performed bhoomi pujan of Bhurah-Panjain Ghat road to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 5.18 crore. At Balikchowki he laid foundation stones of SEDIC building and Community Health Centre, Balichowki to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 6 crore.He also inaugurated the exhibition organized by the Industries department.Speaking on the occasion, Industries Minister Vikram Singh Thaur said SEDIC would prove to be a boon to provide self employment opportunities. He said government was giving subsidy on silk production and moreover to facilitate the people engaged in this occupation the Sericulture department was purchasing their product.MP Ram Swaroop Sharma and MLA Surender Shourie also spoke on the occasion.The staff of GSSS Bali Chowki presented a cheque of Rs. 60,051 to the Chief Minister towards CM Relief Fund. Few others also presented cheques to the CM towards the Fund.Mandi BJP President Ranvir Singh, Seraj BJP Mandal President Sher Singh and other prominent people of the area were also present on the occasion.