Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur during his one day visit to Banjar area today inaugurated and laid foundation stones of developmental projects worth about Rs. 62 crore for Banjar Vidhan Sabha area of Kullu district. He performed inaugurations and foundation stones of 5 developmental projects worth about Rs. 57 crore at Banjar Kala Kendra, whereas in the morning he laid foundation stones of developmental projects worth Rs. 5 crore. While addressing a largely attended public meeting at Banjar Kala Kendra, the Chief Minister said it was during his tenure as Panchayati Raj Minister that the State Government decided to provide 50 per cent reservation to women in PRI and ULBs. He said that this has ensured active participation of women in the process of development.
He said that the State Government has initiated several schemes for socio-economic empowerment of the women. He said that 3.25 lakh gas connections have been provided free of cost to facilitate the women of the State. He said that a revolving fund has been constituted for SHGs of women in the State. Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government has made an enhancement of Rs. 1825 in the honorarium of ASHA workers. He said that the honorarium of most of the para workers have been increased considerably. He said that now the Anganwari Workers were getting Rs. 9,000, Mini Anganwari Workers Rs. 6,100, Anganwari Sahayikas Rs. 4,700, Asha Workers Rs. 4,700, Silai Teachers Rs. 7,950, Mid-Day Meal Workers were now getting Rs. 3,500.
Chief Minister said that the world's largest free vaccination drive in the country against Covid-19 was possible due to the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that in State also this drive was successfully completed and Himachal emerged as the first State in the country in cent per cent vaccination of its eligible population. He said that the people of the country have completely rejected and discarded the Congress in the four States where assembly elections were held recently. He said that the BJP Chief Ministers of all these States have repeated their Governments in these States. He said that it was for the first time in Uttrakhand that any Government has succeeded in coming again to power. He said that now it was the turn of Himachal Pradesh and people of the State would also ensure Mission Repeat of the BJP Government in the State.
Jai Ram Thakur said that there was not even a single issue against the Centre Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi which was completing 8 years in office soon and also against the State Government which has completed over four years in office. He said that on the other hand the State Congress was not even sparing its own High Command by raising fake bills of Rs. 12 crore as the amount spent on distribution of masks and sanitizers to the people during the pandemic. He urged the people to give their wholehearted support to the State Government so that it again comes to power.
The Chief Minister announced that additional posts of specialists and doctors would be created and filled up in Civil Hospital Banjar besides increasing its bed capacity. He announced upgradation of Health Sub Centre Jibi to PHC, PHC Gushani to CHC, opening of new primary schools at Saroot and Kandi, upgradation of Government Primary Schools Rambi and Shari to Government Middle Schools, upgradation of Government Middle Schools Majhli and Sarchi to Government High Schools.Jai Ram Thakur also announced starting of science classes in Government Senior Secondary School Pujari and commerce classes in Government Senior Secondary School Chanog, opening of JE Section at Bachhard and upgradation of one veterinary dispensary in the area to veterinary Hospital.
Earlier Jai Ram Thakur inaugurated Rs. 3.29 crore Nature Park at Shai Ropa. He laid foundation stones of Rs. 25.46 crore WSS Palgi Dhallan, Rote Bhallan, Muhan Garsa Raila, Dhara, Talara, Rohan, Donal Kashadi, Dhari, Phallan, Kothi Chehani, Khadagad, Seri, Balagad, Tandi Chethar, Pekhari, Sharchi, Laida, Tilroo, Thatibir, Ratwah etc. in tehsil Banjar under Jal Jeevan Mission, Rs. 3.10 crore WSS Hidab Sajwar, Sarthi Bandal in GP Khadagad and Sharchi in tehsil Banjar, Rs. 18 crore sewerage scheme to Banjar town and Rs. 7.20 crore APMC Sabji Mandi at Banjar.
Education Minister Govind Singh Thakur said that the present State Government soon after assuming office in 2017, decided to lower the age limit for availing benefits of old age pension without the income limit from 80 years to 70 years, which has been further lowered to 60 years by the Chief Minister. He said that this has benefitted lakhs of people of the State. He said that the double engine Government at the Centre and the State has benefitted people of the country and the State, besides accelerating the pace of development.MLA Banjar Surender Singh Shourie thanked the Chief Minister for dedicating and laying foundation stones of developmental projects worth Rs. 62 crore in his constituency. He said that DSP Office, Fire Station etc. were possible only due to the benevolence of the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.
He said that Rs. 18 crore sewerage scheme to Banjar town and Rs. 7.20 crore APMC Sabji Mandi at Banjar, foundation stone of which was laid by the Chief Minister today on completion would go a long way in facilitating the people of the area. He said that road connectivity has been ensured even in the remotest area of the constituency. He also detailed a few developmental demands of the area.Vice Chairman APMC Ram Singh, District BJP President Bheem Sain Sharma, senior BJP leader Brig. Khushal Thakur, Mandal BJP President Baldev Mahant, Chairperson Nagar Panchayat Banjar Asha Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Kullu Ashutosh Garg, Superintendent of Police Gurdev Sharma, were present on the occasion among others.