lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Tuesday carried out bhumi-pujan and laid foundation of nine construction works worth nearly Rs 31.52 crore in Bemetara district headquarters here.
Chief Minister Raman Singh presided over the programme.
The lok Sabha Speaker along with the Chief Minister reached Bemetara from Raipur via helicopter to attend the district-level felicitation programme for retired teachers.
The construction works inaugurated on the occasion included four high school buildings and one primary health centre building constructed at the cost of nearly Rs 3.97 crore.
Mahajan also did bhumi-pujan and laid foundation of four newly-sanctioned construction works, which will cost around Rs 27.55 crore. This includes polytechnic college in Berla, high school building in Hardi, Pendritarai-Budheli-Bhaleshsar Road construction and bridge over Karuha Nala.
The programme was attended by Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Gaurishankar Agrawal, School Education and Tribal Development Minister Kedar Kashyap, Cooperatives, Tourism and Culture Minister Dayaldas Baghel, MlA Awdhesh Chandel and other senior public representatives.
Mahajan also felicitated 26 retired teachers, 20 meritorious students and two differently-abled meritorious students and a boy who got National Bravery Award at the district headquarters town Bemetara on the occasion. Singh presented shawl, coconut and a commendation certificate to retired teachers and wished them a long and healthy life.
Mahajan, who was the chief guest, said that the role of teachers is crucial in building nation. The lok Sabha Speaker wished the meritorious disabled students a bright and prosperous future. This was the 32nd Teachers' Felicitation Ceremony at Bemetara.