Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today laid foundation stone of augmentation of Shimla Lift Water Supply Scheme at Chaba in Suni area for Shimla town. This water supply scheme would be completed by spending an amount of Rs. 69 crore and would provide 10 MLD additional water to the Shimla town.Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that this would ensure twenty four hour water supply to the people of the Shimla town. He said that this water supply scheme would be completed by the April next year and solve the water problem of Shimla area. He said that the State Government was spending an amount of Rs. 275 crore on drinking water schemes in the State during the current financial year. He said that about 90 percent households in the State were being provided potable water in the State against the national average of only 43.5 percent. He said that the State Government had posed a Rs. 4751 crore Water Harvesting Project to the Union Government for which the Centre Government has given its consent in principal. This Project would go a long way in doubling the farm income by 2022.Chief Minister said that the present State Government during its about one year tenure has ensured all-round and balanced development of the State. He said that for this, he had visited 62 Assembly constituencies of the State, out of the total 68 constituencies in the state. He said that main object was to get first hand knowledge about the developmental needs and aspiration of people of every areas of the State. He said that exactly one year ago on 18th December, 2017 the people of the State gave its verdict in favour of the present Government.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government was ensuring that it would work with a sole objective of development of the State without even an iota of vengeance and vendetta. He said that the very first decision of the State Government was targeted towards welfare of the old people. He said that the age limit for availing old age pension without income limit was decreased from 80 years to 70 years.He said that Sunni and Tattapani area has immense potential from water sports point of view. He said that efforts would be made for the Development of Suni-Tattapani-Karsog-Jhanjheli-Shikari Mata as tourist Circuit. He said that the Government would also endeavour to develop this area from tourism point of view. He said that work on Sunni Bus stand would be completed soon.Chief Minister said that the nation was fortunate that the reins of the Nation were in the safe hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that the State was also being immensely benefitted due to the benevolence of the Prime Minister. He said that today Modi has emerged as a world leader amongst the comity of nations. He urged the people of the State to strengthen the hands of the Prime Minister for making a strong and vibrant India. Jai Ram Thakur announced Rs. 10 lakh each for Gaudu-Palghar road and Ghaini-Tabog Road. He also announced Rs. 23 lakh for different link roads of the area. He announced office of Block Medial Officer at Sunni and said that SDM Rura Shimlal would sit for two days in a week at Sunni.
Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj while addressing the gathering said that the State Government under the able leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur was working relentless for making Himachal Pradesh a front runner State of the country. He said that it was the beauty of the democracy that a person from a humble background was today the Chief Minister of the State. He said that from the day one the State Government was working for the welfare of the poor and the downtrodden. He said that about 2375 teachers of various categories have been recruited during the last about one year. He also urged the Chief Minister to develop Suni as a major water sports destination of the country.Member of Parliament Shimla Parliamentary area Virender Kashyap said that the State Government has succeeded in getting Central Projects worth Rs. 9000 crore sanctioned for the State. He said that under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana 8 crore free gas connections were being provided to the eligible households in the country. MLA Shimla Rural Vikramaditya Singh while welcoming the Chief Minister to his Assembly constituency expressed hope that the area would get due consideration in the matter of development from the present State Government. He also urged the Chief Minister for strengthening health infrastructure in the area.BJP leader of the area Dr. Pramod Sharma while welcoming the Chief Minister and other dignitaries present on the occasion detailed various developmental demands of the area. He also urged the Chief Minister for opening SDO office at Sunni. Chairman Kailash Federation Ravi Mehta and BJP Mandal President Randeep Kanwar welcomed the Chief Minister and others present on the occasion. MLA Karsog Hira Lal, Chairperson Saksham Gudiya Board Rupa Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Shimla Amit Kashyap, Engineer-in-Chief IPH Vikrant Suman, Chief Engineer PWD Lalit Bhushan were present on the occasion among others.