Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur launched Apna Kangra App and Apna Kangra hamper (a product handcrafted by Self help groups) at Dharamshala in Kangra district today. He said that this hamper will have the collection of products of different self help groups from district Kangra. He said that Apna Kangra App would provide a unique experience for any tourist who plans to explore various destinations in Kangra.Chief Minister also virtually inaugurated Radhe Krishna Cow Sanctuary at Luthan in Jawalamukhi Vidhan Sabha area of Kangra district from Dharamshala today.While addressing the people virtually from Dharamshala, Chief Minister said that the very first decision of the State Government was aimed at providing old age pension to all the senior citizens above 70 years of age and second decision to construct Cow Sanctuaries and Gau Sadans in the State for stray animals. He said that the Government also decided to levy cess of Rs. 1 per bottle of liquor for effective management and operation of cow sanctuaries and Gau Sadans.
Jai Ram Thakur said that he dedicated a cow sanctuary at Sunni in Shimla district with a capacity to house 500 cows recently. He said that the cow sanctuaries at Luthan would have a capacity to house 1000 cows. He said that the State Government was providing Rs. 500 per cow per month to Gau Sadans so that they can make proper arrangements of fodder for them. He also urged to the people of the State to ensure that cattle were not abandoned and if any cattle is seen roaming on roads, the same must be sent to cow sanctuaries and Gau Sadans. Chief Minister said that this Cow Sanctuary has been established by spending an amount of Rs 3.96 crore. He said that there were about 19,000 cattle in different Cow sanctuaries of the State.Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Virender Kanwar said that the present State Government under the able leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has ensured that all the roads and streets of the State were free from stray cattle and they have proper shelter.
He said that the Chief Minister within a week has dedicated two cow sanctuaries to the people of the State which shows his concern towards providing shelter to stray cattle. Deputy Chairman H.P. Planning Board Ramesh Chand Dhawala thanked the Chief Minister for inaugurating a cow sanctuary in his constituency.Deputy Commissioner Kangra Dr. Nipun Jindal welcomed the Chief Minister and made a presentation on the Apna Kangra App. He said three Kangra Haat were coming up in the district. He said that motto of Apna Kangra was to empower rural women and providing opportunities to youth through tourism. He said that this App would also provide hospitality services like hotels, homestays, transport, petrol pumps, emergency services etc. He said that Apna Kangra App would provide a unique life changing experience for the tourists on the one hand and empowering rural population on the other. It provides an e-marketing platform for SHG products of district Kangra to sell their products, he added.MLAs Vishal Neharia, Arjun Singh and Arun Kuka, Chairman Woolfed Trilok Kapoor were present on the occasion.