Amid open dissidence by own party MlAs, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, could have not have had a better occasion than laying foundation stones of more than half a dozen projects worth over Rs17 crore at Halduchaur here on Sunday when he, on the one hand, tried to reach out to the people, on the other, he also gave a lesson of discipline or two to the party men who have become quite vocal against their own party government in the State.
The Chief minister reminding citizens of what have been the achievements of his Government during the past over a year clearly said it is not the red beacon, “but the development of our respective areas that can earn honour for all of us. That is why I appeal to all the party activists to strengthen the hands of the Government for all round development of the State”.
The interesting fact here is that as far as the issuance of the red beacon to the party activists is concerned, the Chief Minister has so far been very strict. Only a few party leaders have so far been granted status of a ‘dayitvadhari’ with red beacons.
Meanwhile, apart from laying the foundation stone for eight different projects worth Rs17.05 crore, the Chief minister also dedicated a 33/11 kv power substation worth Rs1.60 crore at Okhalkanda to the public on this occasion.
Speaking on the issue of present power situation in the State, the Chief Minister said there is presently a shortfall of 400 mw of power in the State. Had the previous BJP Government took some initiative for augmentation of electricity, perhaps the power situation would have been quite better.
However, Bahuguna assured the people that the State Government is serious about how to ensure energy security of the hill state, saying with the help of some small power projects we would resolve the power crisis. As the Halduchaur area that comes under Cabinet Minister Harish Chandra Durgapal’s lalkuwan assembly constituency, is known mainly for farming activities, so the Chief Minister did not forget to assure the farmers particularly the cane farmers about early clearance of their dues.
The Government has already approved Rs201 crore for clearing the rest of the dues of the cane farmers of the state and out of the approved amount of Rs201 crore, about Rs100 crore is being released soon and rest of the amount would be released by end of this month, he added.
At the same time reiterating his Government’s commitment to ensure better employment opportunities, Bahuguna informed that the Government is going for recruitment of 800 policemen in which 30 per cent seats will be reserved for woman candidates. Among others State labour and Dairy Development Minister and MlA from lalkuwan Hrish Chandra Durgapal and State Finance Minister Indira Haridayesh were also present on this occasion.