Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday inaugurated and laid foundation stones of developmental projects worth Rs 197 crore in Seraj Vidhan Sabha area of Mandi district through video conferencing from Shimla.The Chief Minister, rolling out projects in Thunag, Janjehli, Chhatri, and Kelodhar areas, said that the present State Government was committed for balanced and all-round development of the State with special focus on remote and far flung areas. “Seraj Vidhan Sabha area was neglected during the tenure of previous Government which only made tall promises but actually did nothing on the ground,” he said.
Thakur said that the corona pandemic has forced everyone to rethink and reschedule their planning. “I would have been glad to lay foundation stones and inauguration of these projects personally but it is not possible due to the corona pandemic,” he said while urging the people to be extra cautious as the virus was not yet over.
He said that people must strictly follow the SOPs issued by the Government from time to time and wear face masks in public places.
Chief Minister said that the Government was forced to take some tough decisions to discourage people to assemble in large number particularly during social functions such as marriages etc.
Thakur directed the officers to complete the projects within stipulated period of time for which he laid foundation stones today so that fruits of development could be reached to the people well in time.
Jal Shakti and Horticulture Minister Mahender Singh Thakur said that the State Government has succeeded to get sanction of SHIVA project for the State.
“This would promote agriculture activities in the lower areas of the State,” he added.
Informing that the State has been adjudged as the best in effective implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in the country continuously for two years, the Minister said that all the projects of Jal Shakti and Horticulture being executed in the Seraj Vidhan Sabha area would be completed by the end of next year.
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Virender Kanwar said that MNREGA scheme has proved a boon to create robust infrastructure in the rural area, besides strengthening the rural economy. “Having a humble background, the Chief Minister is aware about the developmental needs of the common man and poor and the downtrodden. MNREGA Park to be constructed in Seraj would go a long way in diversifying the activities under MNREGA in the State,” he said.
Education Minister Govind Singh Thakur said that the area has witnessed unprecedented development along with the other areas of the State during the last about three years. He said that being a tough area, the Seraj Vidhan Sabha required more attention in matter of development.
MPP and Power Minister Sukh Ram Chaudhary said that it was for the first time that the State has witnessed equitable and balanced development. “Two sub stations are also coming up in the constituency which would solve the voltage problem of the people of the area,” he added.
Notably, the Chief Minister has laid foundation stones of Rs 95 lakh double storey building of Type–II quarters of HPSEB Limited, Rs 3.18 crore Silk Seed Production Centre building, Rs 5.50 crore sewerage scheme for Thunag and surrounding area, Rs 8.35 crore Science Lab-cum-multipurpose hall at Government Degree College Lambathach, among other projects in Thunag area.
For Janjehli area, he laid foundation stones of 11 developmental projects worth Rs 58 crore including Rs 1.41 crore 19.75 meter span single lane bridge at Keolinal in GP Dheem Kataroo, Rs 50 lakh building of Government Sericulture Centre at Deem Kataru, among others.
Foundation stones were also laid for nine developmental projects worth Rs 46 crore in Chhatri including Rs 14.59 crore ITI building, Rs 3.17 crore bridge over Suketi khad on Kohlugad Rutatan road, among others. For Kelodhar, Thakur inaugurated and laid foundation stones of 14 developmental projects worth Rs 28 crore including inauguration of Rs 60 lakh Primary Health Centre building at Devdhar, Rs 10 lakh panchayat bhawan at Kharsi, Rs 1.10 crore MNREGA park, among others.