While addressing a largely attended public meeting at Jassur in Kangra district today after attending the meeting of state executive of Mahila Morcha, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that it was impossible to even think of development of a society without active participation of women in all spheres of development. He said that today girls were excelling in all spheres of development which was a very healthy sign for overall development of the society. The Chief Minister said that the law and order situation in the state was out of control during the tenure of the previous State Government. He said that it was unfortunate that even in this Dev Bhoomi women were not safe. He said that Gudiya episode was a blot on the face of peace loving people of the State. He said that the State Government soon after assuming the reins of the State started Gudiya Helpline and Shakti Button for ensuring safety and security of women and girls in the State.He said said that in addition to this the State Government has also launched several schemes for the welfare and empowerment of the women. He said that schemes like Mukhiya Mantri Grihini Suvidha Yojna, Beti Hai Anmol Yojna and Sashakt Mahila Yojna were aimed at improving the condition of womenfolk in the State. He said that over 1.30 lakh free gas connections would be provided in the State under Grihini Suvidha Yojna and Himachal would soon become first smoke free State of the country with every kitchen having a gas connection.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the menace of drugs was a serious threat to the society which needed to be curbed by initiating joint efforts. The State Government has launched a massive campaign to tackle this social evil and it was on his initiative the meeting of Chief Ministers of four states was held at Chandigarh to chalk out a joint strategy to fight against it. He said that the role of women was also vital to check this menace so that a drug free society could be created. He also urged the Mahila Morcha to come forward to check this vice for larger interests of the society.The Chief Minister said that ten months tenure of the present State Government has seen unprecedented development in all spheres. He said that months before announcement of State Assembly elections in the State, the pervious State Government made announcements with an eye on elections without any budget provisions. He said that the present State Government was ensuring that special focus would be laid on development of those areas which had remained neglected so far.Jai Ram Thakur said that due to negative politics played by the previous State Government and lack of interest in development of the State, several ambitious projects were hanging in fire. The previous State Government even failed to prepare DPRs for over 68 National Highways sanctioned by the Union Government for the State. He said that the State was fortunate to have blessings and love of Prime Minister Narendra Modi which was giving big boost to the development of the State.Earlier, the Chief Minister laid foundation stone of Interstate Bus stand at Jassur to be constructed at a cost of Rs 7.50 crore.
This Bus stand would have three storey commercial complex and six ticket counters and other civic amenities.The Chief Minister announced upgradation of PHC Khariyan to CHC and Rs. 5 crore for Finna Singh Project He also assured that matter of declaring Police District for Nurpur would be considered sympathetically.He also laid foundation stone of various water supply schemes from Chikki Khad for left out population of Nurpur Block to be completed at a cost of Rs. 39.24 crore. This Scheme would benefit over 32,000 people of the region.He also laid foundation stone of Lift Drinking Water Supply Scheme for Nagni and adjourning villages to be completed at a cost of Rs. 13.13 crore. This would benefit a population of over 11,000 of 80 habitations. He also laid foundation stone of augmentation of Lift Drinking Water Supply Scheme Khel Moh Bariara Phase I, II and III to be completed by spending an amount of Rs. 7.04 crore benefitting over 10,000 people of 81 habitation of the region. BJP National Mahila Morcha President and Chairperson Social Welfare Board Maharashtra Vijay Rahatkar said that the nation today was celebrating the 190th birth anniversary of Rani Jhansi. She said that the bike rally were also being organised in two hundred places throughout the country to mark the occasion. She said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated several schemes for welfare of the women and seven crore toilets have been constructed in the country under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan which have particularly benefited crores of women in the country. She said that under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, crores of women have been benefitted as they were provided free gas connections thereby providing them freedom from smoke and cumbersome chore of fuel food collection.
She also thanked the Chief Minister for launching several schemes for welfare and empowerment of the women in the State.Irrigation and Public Health Minister Mahender Singh said that the women empowerment was on the priority agenda of the State Government. The efforts of the State Government were aimed at the welfare and development of all area of the State. He said that the previous State Government divided the people of the State on caste and region basis. It was under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur that the State was witnessing all-round and balanced development without any vengeance and vendetta, he added.Local MLA Rakesh Pathania while welcoming the Chief Minister to his home constituency thanked him for laying foundation stone of water supply schemes worth crores of Rupees in his area. He also urged the Chief Minister for opening Police District for Nurpur for curbing the drug menace in the area. He also thanked the Chief Minister for laying foundation stone of modern Bus stand at Jassur.MLA Indora Rita Dhiman, MLA Gagret Rajesh Thakur, State Mahila Morcha President Indu Goswami, General Secretary Dhaneshwari Thakur, M.C. Shimla Mayor Kusum Sadrate, Chairperson State Women Commission Dr. Daizy Thakur, Senior BJP Leader Kripal Parmar, Incharge of State Mahila Morcha Asha Jaswal, ADC Kangra K.K. Saroch, SP Kangra Santosh Patiyal were present on the occasion among others.