Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday appealed to the people of the state to follow all standard operating procedures and not to indulge in negligence to keep the COVID-19 virus at bay.
“The COVID-19 has affected the pace of development in the state. But, the government has now geared up to achieve all the set targets without fail,” the Chief Minister said while addressing a public meeting at Sihunta under Bhatiyat assembly constituency.
He urged the people of the state to take all precautions in the fight against Coronavirus as a vaccine still is not available.
A day before, the cabinet had decided to grant special vacation to all government and private schools, colleges, ITIs, polytechnics, engineering colleges and coaching institutes from November 11 to 25 for students, teaching and non teaching staff, in view of surge in COVID-19 cases in the state.
The Chief Minister said that all stranded Himachalis in various parts of the country including Kota, Bangluru, Goa, Chandigarh and Delhi were brought back to the state safely by the State Government amid COVID-19. About 2.5 lakh people were tested and quarantined accordingly before sending to their homes, he said.
A special session of Himachal Vidhan Sabha was convened at the behest of the state Congress party. But, it could not present or discuss any concrete issue on the floor of the house, he added.
Thakur asked the Congress party not to indulge in petty politics while the country and state is going through such a crisis.
The Chief Minister further said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi deserves all praise for his leadership as he is successfully steering the country amid all troubles and difficulties.
It was due to the vibrant and energetic leadership of Modi that the people of Bihar again voted in favour of NDA, he added.
Earlier, he laid foundation stones of various developmental works at Sihunta Chowgan costing Rs 48.77 crore.
He also detailed various developmental works executed in the last three years in Bhatiyat assembly constituency under his Government and thanked the people of Bhatiyat for contributing liberally towards Chief Minister Relief Fund by donating Rs 49 lakhs in the fight againstn COVID-19.