Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Sunday urged the people of the State to vote for Congress candidates in ensuing assembly elections.
“It is only Congress which could provide development to the State through welfare of people. The people should not fall prey to the propaganda of BJP and their false promises,” said the Chief Minister while addressing a public meeting in Kinnaur district, after laying foundation stone of second stage (metalling) of lippa-Asrang link Road costing at Rs 6.20 crore.
He said that people of Jhangi and lippa should amicably manage the dispute on sharing the water of Jhangi-I, Kuhl (channel). The villagers of lippa are adamant of not allowing the water channel, meant for irrigational purpose to go through their land towards Jhangi and the entire population of Jhangi was deprived of this facility, said the Chief Minister.
"I want all the areas to be equally benefitted by equitable development, said the Chief Minister adding that he believes that people of the State should get the benefits of development works equally.
“We should help each other and not only think of self interests", he said.
The Chief Minister also directed for channelising of Kashang Channel which is now completed so that water could reach every field.
Virbhadra Singh said that he is happy that Rs 12 crore Kashang channel is now complete and the water could be easily available for Rarang and nearby villages for irrigational purpose. Small channels should be made to take water to fields, however, if possible the people should adopt drip irrigation system, said he.
The Chief Minister said that the Government is providing subsidy for drip irrigation sprinklers as well.
He also said that the concerned officers should discuss the issues pertaining to development with the people before initiating the planning process. The planning should be initiated from the field. The officers should go to villages and remote areas to discuss the grievances with the people and then prepare plans for development, added he.
The Chief Minister said that the base of development should be started at the grass root level rather than preparing plans with huge costing while sitting in offices without visiting the field.
"We need to follow inverted pyramid formula in case of development of rural, far flung and remote areas", he said.
Virbhadra Singh further said that it was only for two years (2016-2018) that the Forest Clearance Act (FCA) had been suspended so that the people could be provided ‘Nautod’ in tribal areas.
“I am personally monitoring the process of distribution of Nautod and hereby direct the administration that the people should not only be distributed Nautod, but also their names should be registered in revenue records”, he said.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated 66 KV Sub-Station at Akpa completed with a cost of Rs 8.34 crore. With the commissioning of this station, 37,000 people of 54 villages of upper Kinnaur and Spiti district would be benefited.
A 220 KV sub-station of HP Power Transmission Corporation limited was inaugurated by him at Bhoktu completed with a cost of Rs 45 crore.
The Chief Minister addressed public gatherings at lippa, Akpa and Jhangi on Sunday. He also announced laying of foundation stone of 66KV electric sub-station at Pooh costing Rs 23 crore. The sub-station at Pooh when fully commissioned would benefit a population of 17 thousand of 42 villages of 25 panchayats of Pooh, and Spiti.
"Though delayed a bit, I want that the process of erecting poles and laying electric cables in Kaza and Pin valley to be completed soon so that the long pending demand of people for uninterrupted power supply could be met and the low voltage problem could be solved", said Virbhadra Singh.
Chief Minister also inaugurated Milk Processing Plant at Reckong Peo completed with an outlay of Rs 1.50 crore.
It was informed that the State co-operative Milk producers Federation will run the plant and the total milk producers beneficiaries of these societies are 42000.
The plant has a capacity of 5000 litres per day and there are 18 societies formed collecting milk from as far as Chango and Shalkhar. Managerial grant of Rs 18000 per village diary cooperative society has been given to these 18 societies.