Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today inaugurated and laid foundation stones of developmental projects worth about Rs. 197 crore in Seraj Vidhan Sabha area of Mandi district through video conferencing from Shimla today. In Thunag area Chief Minister laid foundation stones of Rs. 95 lakh Double Storey Building of Type –II quarters of HPSEB Ltd, Rs. 1.12 crore augmentation of 33/22KV Electric Sub Station, Rs. 3.18 crore Silk Seed Production Centre building, Rs. 5.50 crore sewerage scheme for Thunag and surrounding area, construction of buildings of Government Senior Secondary Schools, Bharari,, Shikawari and Bagsiad by spending Rs. 2.51 crore, 3.85 crore and 4.24 crore respectively, Rs. 8.35 crore Science Lab cum multipurpose hall at Government Degree College Lambathach. He also laid foundation stones of Rs. 2.11 crore community centre building, Rs. 6.33 crore Thunag- Lambasafar road under PMGSY, Rs. 6.58 crore Rille Chendi Karshwali road under NABARD, Rs. 2.16 crore additional accommodation at Rest House Bagsiad and Rs. 10.62 crore work of Bagsaid Rahidhar Kathyali Dhanwar Shikari Mata road.For Janjehli area, Jai Ram Thakur laid foundation stones of 11 developmental projects worth Rs. 58 crore which includes Rs. 1.41 crore 19.75 meter span single lane bridge at Keolinal in GP Dheem Kataroo, Rs. 22.63 crore improvement and upgradation of Janjehli Magrugala Billagad Chhatri road under PMGSY, Rs. 13.78 crore improvement and upgradation of Janjehli Raigarh Shikari Mata road under PMGSY, Rs. 6.80 crore sewerage scheme to Janjehli and its surrounding areas, Rs. 1.16 crore building of Government Senior Secondary School, Shankar Dehra, Rs. 10.22 crore combined office building at Janjehli, Rs. 50 lakh building of Government Sericulture Centre at Deem Kataru, Rs. 43 lakh flow irrigation scheme for Janjehli (Bhekhali) cluster under H.P. Horticulture Development Project, Rs. 26.35 lakh flow irrigation scheme for Riyada-2 cluster under HP Horticulture Development Project, Rs. 50 lakh additional accommodation in Forest Rest House Baila.In Chhatri, Chief Minister performed foundation stones laying ceremonies of nine developmental projects worth Rs. 46 crore which include Rs. 3.17 crore and Rs. 3.46 crore buildings of Government Senior Secondary Schools, Brayogi and Mehridhar respectively, Rs. 4.15 crore Sub Tehsil Office building, Rs. 14.59 crore ITI building, Rs. 3.17 crore bridge over Suketi khad on Kohlugad Rutatan road, Rs. 37 lakh Junior Engineer cum residence of PWD, Rs. 7.94 crore improvement and upgradation of Chhatri Gadagussaini Tapnali road under PMGSY, Rs. 1.45 crore flow irrigation scheme Chhatri khad to Kandhi Choug and Basagkhad to Kathol and Rs. 6.89 crore 33/22 KV Sub Station at Chhatri.
For Kelodhar, Jai Ram Thakur inaugurated and laid foundation stones of 14 developmental projects worth Rs. 28 crore which include inauguration of 60 lakh Primary Health Centre building at Devdhar, Rs. 10 lakh panchayat bhawan at Kharsi, Rs. 1.10 crore MNREGA park, Rs. 17 lakh shelter near Government Primary School Bagsiad and Rs. 10 lakh panchayat bhawan at Kotla Khanula. He laid foundation stones of Rs. 1.13 crore, Rs. 1.02 crore and Rs. 3.36 crore buildings of Government Senior Secondary Schools Devdhar, Kharsi and Parwara respectively. He also performed foundation stones laying ceremonies of Rs. 2.46 crore and Rs. 2.84 crore Science Lab in Government Senior Secondary Schools, Bara and Saroa respectively. He also laid foundation stones of Rs. 55 lakh JE Office and 1.10 crore improvement and upgradation of Kelodhar Patikri Dam road under PMGSY, Rs. 1.30 crore Forest Rest House Raingalu and Rs. 1.04 crore forest rest house Kelodhar.
Chief Minister said that the present State Government was committed for balanced and all-round development of the State with special focus on remote and far flung areas. He said that Seraj Vidhan Sabha area was neglected during the tenure of previous Government. He said that the previous Government only made tall promises but actually did nothing on the ground.Jai Ram Thakur said that the corona pandemic has forced everyone to rethink and reschedule their planning. He said that he would have been glad to lay foundation stones and inauguration of these projects personally but it was not possible due to the corona pandemic. He urged the people to be extra cautious as the virus was not yet over. He said that people must strictly follow the SOPs issued by the Government from time to time and wear face masks in public places.Chief Minister said that the Government was forced to take some tough decisions to discourage people to assemble in large number particularly during social functions such as marriages etc.Jai Ram Thakur directed the officers to complete the projects within stipulated period of time for which he laid foundation stones today so that fruits of development could be reached to the people well in time.Jal Shakti and Horticulture Minister Mahender Singh Thakur said that State Government has succeeded to get sanction of SHIVA project for the State. He said that this would promote agriculture activities in the lower areas of the State. He said that all this was possible due to the able leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. He said that the State has been adjudged as the best State in effective implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in the country continuously for two years. He said that all the projects of Jal Shakti and horticulture being executed in the Seraj Vidhan Sabha area would be completed by the end of next year.
Technical Education Minister Dr Ram Lal Markanda said that the Seraj Vidhan Sabha remained neglected in the matter of development during the tenure of the Congress Government.Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Virender Kanwar said that MNREGA scheme has proved a boon to create robust infrastructure in the rural area, besides strengthening the rural economy. He said that being himself from a humble background, Chief Minister was aware about the developmental needs of the common man and poor and the downtrodden. He said that a few MNREGA Park to be constructed in Seraj would go a long way in diversifying the activities under MNREGA in the State.Education Minister Govind Singh Thakur said that the area has witnessed unprecedented development along with the other areas of the State during the last about three years. He said that being a tough area, the Seraj Vidhan Sabha required more attention in matter of development. MPP and Power Minister Sukh Ram Chaudhary said that it was for the first time that the State has witnessed equitable and balanced development. He said that two sub stations were also coming up in the constituency. He said that this would solve the voltage problem of the people of the area.Forests Minister Rakesh Pathania also spoke on the occasion and appreciated the initiatives taken by the Chief Minister to make front runner State of the country.MP Mandi Ram Swaroop Sharma said that effective coordination between the Centre and the State Government has given a major thrust to accelerate the pace of development. He said also detailed various schemes of the Centre and the State Governments for welfare of the people.MD HPSEBL R.K. Sharma, PCCF Dr. Savita Sharma, Engineer-in-Chief Public Works Department Bhuvan Sharma, Director Higher Education Amarjit Sharma were present at Shimla with the Chief Minister, whereas Deputy Commissioner Mandi Rugved Thakur, Superintendent of Police Shalini Agnihotri and other officers joined the event from Mandi.