A major irrigation scheme would be constructed in Gram Panchayat Spillo of Kinnaur district from Lipa to Korla by spending rupees six crore and the state government would also sympathetically consider to further extend the time period of Noutor in tribal area ending in December this year to benefit the tribal people.This was stated by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while addressing a public meeting at Pooh in Kinnaur district on Friday after laying foundation stone of lift irrigation scheme at Pooh to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 5.73 crore. This scheme would provide irrigation facilities to 230 hectare area.The Chief Minister said that the tribal district of Kinnaur was not only one of the biggest districts of the state but was also strategically important and therefore the state government was laying special focus on development of this area. He said that he himself belongs to a hard and remote area, so was well aware of the developmental needs and aspirations of the people of the tribal areas. He had so far visited 55 Assembly constituencies of the state with a sole objective to get first hand knowledge regarding developmental needs of the people of the state. He thanked the people for according rousing welcome to him on his arrival to this landlocked tribal area of the State.Jai Ram Thakur said that the leaders of Opposition were unnecessarily making hue and cry over his Delhi visits. But, now when due to the love and affection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards the state and its people, state government has succeeded in getting developmental projects worth Rs. 9000 crore sanctioned for the state, now all these leaders have nothing to say, he added.
He said that the state government was working with a motto of zero tolerance against corruption and the main objective of the government was to ensuring balanced and all over development of the state. In the very first Cabinet meeting, the state government decided to lower the age limit for getting old age pension without income limit from 80 years to 70 years. This decision of the State Government has benefitted over 1.30 lakh people of the state.Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government announced thirty new schemes in the budget with adequate budget provision which was a record in itself. He said that several new schemes had been launched for welfare of youth, women, farmers, traders, weaker sections of the society etc. He said that over 15000 complaints have been redressed during the five Jan Manch organised by the state government and this programme has ensured speedy redressal of public grievances nearer to their homes.The Chief Minister said that the State inherited loan burden of Rs. 46,500 crore from the previous State Government due to their financial miss-management and careless spending. He said that the previous Government opened several health and educational institutions without making adequate budget provisions.The Chief Minister announced Rs. 50 lakh for construction of Namgyan irrigation canal, Rs. 50 lakh for the construction of Community Culture Centre at Roopa village, Rs. 50 lakh for construction of irrigation scheme from Raman to Gyaban and Rs. 10 lakh for Community Hall at Titang in Dubling Panchayat. He said that lift irrigation scheme Gyaban from Roopa Khad to Choti Shive and flood protection work in Dubling village would be carried out and he directed the district administration to prepare estimate for the same.
Later, the Chief Minister laid foundation stone of Urban Mission Scheme at Moorang to be completed at a cost of Rs 15 crore and inaugurated newly constructed building of PHC Rarang at Moorang constructed at a cost of Rs. 74.50 lakh.He announced to provide Rs. 70 lakh for Timche irrigation kuhal at Murang.The Chief Minister also listened to the public grievances at Murang.Chief Minister was accorded traditional and rousing welcome on his arrival at Pooh with hundreds of tribal people attired in their traditional tribal dress welcoming their beloved leader who was on his maiden visit to the tribal district after assuming office. Agriculture and Tribal Development Minister Dr. Ram Lal Markanda said that the state government has made adequate provision in the budget for the development of the tribal areas and the allocation under the Tribal Sub-Plan has also been increased considerably. The State Government was also promoting natural farming in the state and for this a budget of Rs. 25 crore has been made in the current year’s budget.Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Virender Kanwar said that the State Government was providing free gas connection to eligible families under the Mukhiya Mantri Grihini Suvidha Yojna so that the state could become first smoke free state of the country by the year 2019. He said that the Jan Manch Programme of the state government was proving a great success, as grievances of the people were being redressed nearer to their home. Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana was being effectively implemented in the State, besides effective implementation of Mukhiya Mantri Aawas Yojana in the state.
Member of Parliament Ram Swaroop Sharma said that the centre government under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was committed to double the farm income by the year 2022.He said that the state government was also committed to increase the income of farmers and thus have initiated several schemes for their welfare. He also detailed various welfare schemes launched by the state government for development of tribal areas.Vice Chairman Himachal Pradesh Forest Corporation Surat Negi said that the previous state government completely ignored the area in matter of development and it was due to benevolence of the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur the area would soon get irrigation facility for their lands which would strengthen the economy of the region. He also urged the Chief Minister for making the Forest Rights Act 2006 tribal people friendly. He said that during this period the state government provided Rs. 27 lakh for the needy people of the district from Chief Minister’s Relief Fund which shows the concern of the state government towards poor and needy. In the evening, the Chief Minister arrived at district headquarters Reckong Peo and laid foundation stone of Sub-Jail Bhawan Dakho to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 4.26 crore and inaugurated district level conference hall constructed at a cost of Rs. 2.55 crore.He laid foundation stone of District Panchayat Resource Centre to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 2.50 crore.He inaugurated Mini Stadium at Reckong Peo constructed at a cost of Rs. 2.38 crore and also laid foundation stone of water supply scheme of Kalpa at Reckong Peo to be completed at a cost of Rs. 3.26 crore.Former MLA Tejwant Negi, OSD to the Chief Minister Shishu Dharma, District BJP President Shashi Dutt, Zila Parishad Chairperson Tashi, President Gram Panchayat Sushil, Deputy Commissioner Kinnaur Gopal Chand, SP Shakshi Verma were present on the occasion among others.