(MOREPIC1) Bijender Sharma/Kangra
Addressing a largely attended public gathering on the occasion of celebrations of 75 years of formation of Himachal Pradesh here at Purana Mataur under Kangra assembly segment, the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the prominent leaders of opposition party were joining the BJP along with their supporters and this indicates that the people have also lost the faith in opposition party adding that the present government would come into power again.
He said the State has made incredible progress in all sectors of development. He said the literacy rate which was only 4.8 per cent at the time of formation of Himachal Pradesh has gone up to 83 percent as per previous census, but it might have crossed the figure of 90 percent as on today.
Talking about the road connectivity network in the state, he said road length has gone from 288 kms in 1948 to 39,500 kms and the number of health institutions from 88 in the year 1948 to 4320 today. He said that there were only 301 educational institutions in the state at the time of its formation, whereas today the number has gone up to 16,124.
Jai Ram Thakur said per capita income was only Rs. 240 which today has crossed the magical mark of Rs. 2 lakh. The Chief Minister referring the exhibition put up to showcase the history and challenges of the state during first programme of celebration of 75 years of formation of Himachal Pradesh organized in Chamba said people of the state used to cross rivers with the help of inflated skin of buffalo, whereas today there are over 2,326 bridges in the state and remote and far-flung areas of the state have been connected with the facility of link roads.
The Chief Minister lashed out at the previous State Government and said it provided pensions to only 4 lakh beneficiaries during its tenure by spending Rs. 400 crore, whereas the present government is spending Rs. 1300 crore. As many as 7.5 lakh beneficiaries are getting pensions, he added.
The Chief Minister announced opening of new Jal Shakti Vibhag division for Kangra. He also announced that civil hospital Kangra would be upgraded from 50 to 100-bedded. He also announced opening of new ITI Bhadyada, construction of science block in Government Senior Secondary School Mataur, starting of science classes in Senior Secondary School Bodh Kualu and commerce classes in Senior Secondary School Virta.
Jai Ram Thakur also announced starting of science classes in degree college Mataur, opening of new sub tehsil at Ranital, new PHC at Ranital, upgradation of PHC Takipur to CHC, new Veterinary Hospital at Sohda, upgradation of Health Sub Centre in Rajal panchayat to PHC, upgradation of Health Sub Centre Gahlian to PHC, if the necessary norms are fulfilled.
MLA Kangra Pawan Kajal while welcoming the Chief Minister thanked him for dedicating and laying foundation stones of various projects. He said under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, Kangra assembly segment would experience much needed all-round progress.