Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today performed the Bhoomi Pujan of Improvement of Gaggal-Chetru-Dharamshala-Mcleodganj road at Saheed Samark, Dharamsala. This project will be completed by spending Rs. 10.02 crore under Central Road Fund Project. He also dedicated Rs. 48 lac “Digital Imaging Spetrograph” Forensic Machine to Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Dharamhsala which was First in North India and second in the Country after Kolkata.Chief Minister said that the Ultra Modern Machine would be helpful in investigating forgery and fraudulent documents with 3-D imaging technique. Later, while presiding over 3rd State level Convention of Veterinary Pharmacist of HP, Chief Minister said that the State Government has initiated various schemes in the rural areas to benefit the cattle rearers. He said that 92 percent rural population of the State was engaged in this avocation and as per 2007 census, there were 52.16 lacs cattleheads in the State. Besides, the State have 45 percent improved Sankar Breed -milch cattle. He said that Government was initiating measures for improved breeding facilities to the rural folk at their door steps through 2137 Veterinary institutions. He said that 1012 animal dispensaries were opened in such Panchyats and 241 more such Institutions would be made functional this year.
Virbhadra Singh said that in order to enhance the milk production and promoting improved varieties of cattles, Rs. 2.90 crore Artificial Insemination Laboratory was being opened at Palampur with the assistance of Central Government. He said that during the last fiscal year 11.38 lacs tonne milk and1649 tonne wool were produced in the State. He said that 90 Veterinary Panchyat Sahyaks were posted on contract basis to facilitate the farmers.Referring to the various demands of the Veterinary Pharmacist Chief Minister said that all the demands would be considered sympathetically.
Chief Minister said that his Government was committed to give emoluments and other financial benefits as per the recommendations of Punjab Pay Commission. The Punjab Government had given certain benefits to its employees eyeing the Vidhan Sabha Elections but the previous BJP Government refused to pay such benefits. However, seeing Vidhan Sabha Election in the corner, it announced the benefits to woo the employees of the State due to which present Government had to bear additional expenditure of Rs.1370 crores. Shri Subhash Rana President of State Veterinary Association welcomed the Chief Minister and raised demands of the Association. General Secretary Shri Dinesh Negi also spoke. Presiding over the State Ayurvedic Officers Felicitation function, Chief Minister said that Ayurveda was one of the ancient medicines system including Unani, Homeopathy, Aamchi and Natural Therapy. Keeping in view its importance, relevance and effectiveness, he had set up a separate Department of Ayurveda. He assured that all the demands of Ayurvedic Doctors would be considered sympathetically.Chief Minister announced to create three posts of Zonal Deputy Directors at Kangra, Mandi & Shimla. Shri Dinesh Sharma, President, HP Ayurvedic Officers Association, welcomed the Chief Minister and presented a cheque of Rs. 8.91 Lacs towards CM’s relief fund.Transport Minister Sh G.S. Bali, Urban Dev. Minister Sh. Sudhir Sharma, MLAs Shri Sanjay Rattan, Ajay Mahajan, Pawan Kazal, former Minister & MP Prof. Chander Kumar, Vice Chairman, Forest Corporation Sh. Kewal Singh Pathania, Shri Jagdish Sipahiya, Chairman KCCB, former MLA Sh. Surender Kaku , DC & SP Kangra were also present on the occasion.