Dhumal in kinaur

By Bijender Sharma
Kinaur ----Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister dedicated the Jani Bridge completed at a cost of Rs. 1.40 crore and PWD Rest House completed at a cost of Rs. 54.12 lac at Tapri in District Kinnaur today.

Addressing a public meeting at Tapri, Chief Minister said that Rs. 4 crore were being spent on connecting Ramani village with road and Public Works Department has been directed to complete the work on priority. He said that best infrastructure would be created to cater to developmental requirements of tribal people. He criticized the previous Government for misleading the people of the area by making tall claims of development and added that as compared to Rs. 14 crore spent by previous Government, the present government would spent Rs. 27 crore which was 100 percent more than the amount spent by the previous Government. He said that only 19 kilometer roads were completed while 41 kilometer roads would be constructed during current financial year which speak of the concern of the present Government towards tribal people. Chief Minister appealed the people to cooperate with the State Government in making Atal Bijli Bachat Yojna successful, which aims at reducing the power consumption by the domestic consumers. He said that Rs. 80 crore were being spent on providing every consumer family 4 CFL bulbs free of cost as a measure to save power. Dhumal paid tribute to Late Shri T.S. Negi, former Speaker H.P. Vidhan Sabha who had represented the tribal people in the State assembly. He said that Late Shri Negi was given due honour by electing him Speaker of H.P. Vidhan Sabha and the rich traditions set by him were still exemplary. He said that contribution of Late Shri Negi would be remembered by the State for times to come. Chief Minister congratulated the people of the district for leading the party to victory and added that tribal people gave momentum to the victory of the party in the entire State and the party got an absolute mandate. He said that Government was committed to rise up to the expectations of the people. He said that the stalled development was gaining momentum gradually and best efforts would be made to complete the backlog of last five years.Tejwant Negi, Local MLA welcomed the Chief Minister. He thanked him for dedicating Jani bridge and Rest House to the people of the area. He said that Prof. Dhumal deserved all appreciation for protecting the interests of tribal people. He assured the people that all pending developmental works would be completed and funds would not be a constraint.
Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister said that State Government would make all preparations to deal with any flood like situation in Sutlej River and added that adequate stock of essential commodities would be made in time. He said that district administration would be put on high alert to monitor the water levels during summer season besides making required arrangements to warn people living on either side of the river. He was addressing an impressive public meeting at Chagaon in tribal district of Kinnaur, after paying obeisance in the local temple of the presiding deity Shri Maheshwar ji in the village today.Chief Minister said that taking lessons from the Sutlej floods due to Parchhoo Lake, the State Government would be taking all precautionary measures to avert any emergency arising out of any flood like situation. He said that the concerned department would be directed to make adequate storage of essential commodities in the valley so that the requirement of the local people was fully met with. He said that all out efforts would also be made to maintain the communication lines in the valley. Prof. Dhumal said that the State Government was committed to construct the Powari Bridge for which adequate funds would be made available. He said that with the completion of Powari bridge, Powari, Purbani and Tangling group of villages would get connected with motorable bridge and road. He said that roads and bridges were of vital importance in the tribal areas since, living in difficult geophysical conditions was itself a big challenge. He said that all out efforts would be made to construct more link roads and bridges to provide maximum connectivity to the tribal people of the State. Chief Minister said that the State Government honoured the religious sentiments of the people and added that liberal funds would be made available for the restoration and repair of prominent shrines in the valley. He said that detailed estimates would be required to complete codal formalities for release of funds to implement the projects. He said that religious sentiments of the people were being held in high esteem and best efforts would be made to enable devotees carry their devotional services conveniently. Chief Minister said that NREGA was an unique scheme in itself which generated 100 days of assured employment to the rural people near their homes in a year. He said that the minimum wage of Rs. 100 would also be applicable to the job card holders under NERGA. He urged people to take benefit of the programme and funds would not be any constraint to implement the scheme.Prof. Dhumal said that women empowerment was on the top agenda of the State Government and it was committed to provide them fair representation in the PRIs. He said that 50 percent reservation in the PRIs and urban local bodies was a historical decision, which had attracted attention of the other Governments in the country. Chief Minister thanked people of the area for their overwhelming support to BJP Candidates during assembly elections, which helped the party to get absolute majority in the State. He said that the elections to State assembly were held in tribal areas before rest of the State for the first time. Earlier, Chief Minister offered obeisance at the famous shrine of local deity Shri Maheshwar ji and participated in the traditional prayer service organized by the villagers of Chagaon. He was accorded a rousing reception by villagers enroute from Reckong Peo to Chagaon.Shri Tejwant Singh Negi, Local MLA welcomed the Chief Minister on his first visit to the district after assuming power for second time. He said that Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal had always paid added attention towards the developmental needs of the tribal district. He said that Chagoan Village Water Supply Scheme was under implementation, which would solve the drinking water problem of the village.Shri Chet Ram Negi, former Parliamentary Secretary welcomed the Chief Minister and urged for more funds for temples in the area. Shri Narender Bragta, Horticulture Minister, Shri Suresh Bhardwaj, MLA, Shri Vidya Sagar Negi, President Kinnaur BJP mandal, Smt. Chandermani, Chairperson, Zila Parishad, Smt. Anjana, Pradhan Gram Panchayat Chagam, Smt. Kiran Negi, Chairperson, Panchayat Samiti, Shri Shyam Sunder Negi, Chairman, Environment Protection Committee, Shri P.S. Drek, Deputy Commissioner, Shri Pupul Datt, S.P, Shri R.C. Gupta, Chief Engineer, PWD, Senior officers and prominent people present among others on the occasion.
Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister said that State Government would extend all possible help to Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited in all its future endeavour since the State was partner in the company. He said that State aimed at generating 12,000 MW Hydro Power by year 2012 and executing authority of 412 MW Rampur Hydro Electric Project needed to re consider changing the name of the Project to Netaji Subhash Chander Bose Hydro Electric Project as a tribute to the great freedom fighter. He was addressing a public meeting at Bayal vill age in Anni Sub-Division of District Kullu today. He also laid foundation stone of the 20 bedded hospital estimated to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 4 crore by the SJVNL, the executing authority of HEP Rampur.

Chief Minister expressed gratitude to former Prime Minister Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee and former Power Minister Late Shri Kumar Manglam who acceded to the request of the State to shift the headquarter of the then Nathpa-Jhakri Power Corporation to Shimla from New Delhi. He said that the interests of the people of the State and affected families was on top priority besides ensuring ecological balance in the State. He said that Shri Vajpayee had laid the foundation stone of 800 MW Koldam of NTPC at Barmana and the construction work was in progress and likely to be completed well before the stipulated period. He said that interests of local people especially oustees were dear to the State and would be protected.

Prof. Dhumal said that protection of environment was of prime concern to the State Government and added that all IPPs had been directed to take measures to maintain ecology in their project areas. He said that dumping of waste material needed to be carried out in a proper manner. He said that project authorities needed to give attractive compensation to the families donating land for projects besides implementing the agreement in letter and spirit. He said that

project authorities needed to undertake social welfare, development and employment related activities besides providing proper rehabilitation package to the oustees.

Chief Minister said that the identified 21000 MW Hydro potential would be exploited to the optimum in coming five years so that besides generating revenue it could generate employment and self-employment avenues. He said that State Government would monitor the condition of providing employment to Himachalis and would not compromise for less than the provision made in new power policy.

Prof. Dhumal said that decision of SJVNL to spend Rs. 125 crore on relief and rehabilitation of the oustees deserved appreciation and advised the authorities that the ousted families were compensated through other modes as well. He suggested that the upcoming colony of the project should be constructed in the project area to benefit the local people.

Shri Kishori Lal, Local MLA welcomed the Chief Minister and detailed out the local demands.

Shri H.K. Sharma, CMD, SJVNL detailed out the activities of the project.

Shri Narender Bragta, Horticulture Minister, Shri Suresh Bhardwaj, Shri Tejwant Negi, MLAs, Shri Ninju Ram former MLA, Shri Ram Singh, District President BJP, Smt. Sudha Devi, Deputy Commissioner, Shri Jagat Ram, S.P. Shri R.S. Katoch, Director Personal, Shri H.K. Garg, Director Finance, Shri K.C. Sadyal, Chief Vigilance Officer, Shri J.K. Sharma, Director, Civil, SJVNL, other senior officers and prominent people of the area were present.