The State Government was committed to make Himachal Pradesh as a favourite tourist destination of the world by fully harnessing the tourism potential of the State. This was stated by Chief Minister Shri Jai Ram Thakur while addressing the closing ceremony of ‘Kotkhai Utsav’ at Kotkhai in Shimla district today. He said that the fairs and festivals were integral part of our rich cultural repository and one should be proud of their culture. But unfortunately some opposition leaders were not able to digest his love and regard for culture and tradition of the State, which shows their ignorance regarding our culture and tradition, he added.
The Chief Minister said that the State Government has provided the State Helicopter for providing heli taxi service from Shimla to Chandigarh and back for three days in a week. He said that Himachal Pradesh is the first State in the country to give State Helicopter for convenience of the tourists. He said that the Government was endeavouring to start heli taxi service for other parts of the State to benefit high end tourists.
Shri Jai Ram Thakur said that the present State Government during the present five month tenure has strived hard to come upto the expectations of the people of the State. He said that several welfare and developmental oriented schemes have been launched by the present State Government. He said that the State Government has succeeded to get schemes and projects worth Rs 4365 crore sanctioned from the Union Government during the short period of five months due to the benevolence of the Prime Minister Shri Narindra Modi. He said that the previous State Government failed to get approval of even one development project for the State. He said that the previous Government made announcement to open 16 degree college with a provision of Rs 1 lakh for each college.
He said that Rs 55 crore projects for 27 panchayats of the constituency has been poised for BRICS for drinking water supply schemes. He announced Rs 5 crore for beautification of Hatkoti temple complex. He announced PWD Division at Kotkhai, Degree College at Kotkhai, Rs. 1 crore for Vikas Bhawan at Kotkhai, PG classes in four subjects in Degree College Saraswati Nagar. Increase in trade in Atal Behari Vajpayee Engineering College Pragatinagar, Rs. 4 crore for sewerage scheme Saraswati Nagar, Rs. 2.11 crore for improving power supply in Nawar area.
Chief Minister also announced district level status for ‘Kotkhai Utsav’ at Kotkhai.
The Chief Minister said that he had ensured that the each area of the State get its due in matter of development. He said that he had visited about 45 constituencies of the State during this short tenure to ensure development of these areas. He said that that the country was blessed to have Shri Narendra Modi as Prime Minister as India was poised to emerge as ‘World Leader’.
Earlier the Chief Minister laid foundation stone of 400 meter synthetic track with other allied works at existing play ground at Saraswati Nagar. Chief Minister said that the track would be constructed at a cost of Rs 12.50 crore and would be the third synthetic track in the State after Dharmashala and Bilaspur. He said that this would provide world class athletics facilities to the youth of the region.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated Tourist Reception Centre-cum-Tracking Hostel and Parking at Giri Ganga Resort at Kharapathar constructed at a cost of Rs 77 lakh. This complex houses 3 double bed rooms, banquet hall having capacity of about 200 people, Tourist Information Office etc. He said that this would give boost to the development of tourism in the region. He said that the region has immense tourism potential and the State Government was committed to harness the potential.
He also performed ‘Bhoomi Pujan’ of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna Darkoti-Grawag under IPH Division Jubbal to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 6.28 crore. This would provide irrigation facilities to 21 villages of 4 panchayats of the area. He also performed ‘Bhoomi Pujan’ of Bus Stand Kotkhai to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 2.53 crore.
Chief Minister honoured Mr. Sorab and Gaurav Gangta on the occasion.
Later the Chief Minster laid foundation stone of Sabhagaar Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government Engineering and Technology Institute at Pragatinagar to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 9.88 crore of Building of Women Hostel constructed at a cost of Rs. 4.26 crore and of Building of Rural Livelihood and Production Centre of to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 7.04 crore in the Institute.
Earlier, the Chief Minister along with his wife Dr. Sadhna Thakur visited famous Sri Hateshwari Mata Temple at Hatkoti and performed Puja.
The Chief Minister was given rousing welcome on his arrival at Saraswati Nagar and enroute from Saraswati Nagar to Kotkhai and Pragatinagar. Various cultural, social and political organizations felicitated the Chief Minister on the occasion.
Industries and Technical Education Minister Shri Bikram Singh Thakur said that Chief Minister Shri Jai Ram Thakur has given new direction to the development of the State. He said that in the first budget presented by the Chief Minister had 30 new schemes, which was a record in itself. He said that Mukhiya Mantri Swavlamban Yojna has been launched in the State for providing employment and self-employment opportunities to the youth of the State.
Local MLA Shri Narender Bragta while welcoming the Chief Minister to his home constituency said that the area remained neglected in the matter of development during the last five years. He thanked the Chief Minister for laying foundation stones of developmental projects worth crores of Rupees in the area. He said that the Synthetic track to be would prove a boon to the youth of the region to exhibit their talent as they would get facilities of international standard nearer to their home.
He said that the State was blessed to have Shri Jai Ram Thakur as the Chief Minister of the State as under his leadership the State was poised to become most developed State of the country. He said that soon after assuming office the State Government lowered the age limit of the old people to get old age pension without income limit from 80 years to 70 years. He said that this has benefitted over 1.30 lakh old people of the State. He thanked the Chief Minister for providing Rs 60 crore for completion of Theog-Hatkoti-Rohru road soon after assuming the office, due to which this major road, a lifeline of apple belt was nearing completion. He also detailed various demands of the area. He urged the Chief Minister to explore possibilities of development of area from tourism point of view.
Member of Parliament Prof. Virender Kashyap while greeting the people on the occasion of the Kotkhai Utsav said that the State was bound to achieve new heights under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minster Shri Jai Ram Thakur. He said that the Union Government has sanctioned 69 National Highways for the State to strengthen road network in the State.
Jubbal-Kotkhai BJP Mandal President Shri Gopal Jariak welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries on the occasion.
MLA Chopal Shri Balbir Verma, former MLA and Chairman State Co-operative Bank Shri Khushi Ram Balnatha, Mayor Municipal Corporation Shimla Smt. Kasum Sadret, OSD to the Chief Minister Shri Shishu Dharma, Vice Chairman State Khadi Board Shri Purshottam Guleria, Director Tourism Shri Sudesh Mokta, Deputy Commissioner Shri Amit Kashyap, SP Shimla Shri Omapati Jamwal were present on the occasion among others.
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