Himachal Pradesh is fast emerging as industrial hub of the country and many reputed industrial houses were coming forward to invest in the State and the State Government was providing them best possible facilities and various incentives.
This was stated by Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh while addressing a public meeting at Balbihai in Barsar Tehsil of Hamirpur district today. He said that Himachal Pradesh had an edge over other States for industrial growth as the State had peaceful environment and good law and order and uninterrupted power supply. He said that during last two years the Government had made outstanding efforts to give impetus to industrial growth and new industrial zones were being set up in the State.
He expressed happiness that Balbihai area of Barsar Tehsil was also fast developing as industrial area.
Shri Virbhadra Singh assured that as per the demands of Chief Parliamentary Secretary who was also representing this assembly segment, the Government would consider to construct ITI at Dhatwal and PHC Bijhari (Dhatwal) to Community Health Centre during next year. He also assured to consider the demand of the local people to start new bus service from Ghori-Dabari to Delhi.
He announced that Government Middle Schools Parwin, Kudhar and Sakri would also be upgraded to Government High Schools next year.
The Chief Minister urged all the gram panchayats of the State to adopt cleanliness drive sincerely and proper provision should be made for disposal of wastes. He said that every village and home should have toilet facility and also laid emphasis on providing separate toilet facilities for boys and girls in the educational institutions.
Shri Virbhadra Singh announced that schools having best toilet facility and maintaining cleanliness would be rewarded by the Government. He complimented the Balbihai panchayat for winning State level award for cleanliness drive.
Later, he laid foundation stone of two bridges on Bhebad-Saheli road from Geoli Devi to Joure Amb and the road from Bhebad to Karsai to be constructed at a cost of Rs. six crore. He directed the PWD authorities to complete this work on war footing. He also approved to shift the veterinary dispensary at Joure Amb to Government building.
He also inaugurated Community Health Centre at Barsar constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.90 crore.
Taking an apparent jibe at State BJP leaders, the Chief Minister said that they once again started day dreaming that the State Government would be ousted soon adding that no Government could be ousted on the basis of such statements. He said that the present State Government was stable and solid as rock which would not only complete its term but would also come back to power next time with thumping majority.
Industries Minister Shri Mukesh Agnihotri said that the Balbihai area would be developed for industrial activities and an amount of Rs. one crore had already been released for the same. He said that 20 plots and seven sheds would be developed at this area out of which 10 plots had already been sold out. The industries Department would make concerted efforts to develop this area on priority.
Shri Agnihotri also attacked the BJP leaders of the State for their remarks regarding ousting of the State Government in the near future. He said that the people of the State had given mandate in favour of Congress Party and it seemed that BJP leaders did not have faith in democratic set up.
Chief Parliamentary Secretary Shri Inder Dutt Lakhanpal thanked the Chief Minister for upgrading Bijhari Sub Tehsil and sanctioning various developmental projects of the area during his visit to the area. He said that the development of this constituency remained paralyzed during BJP regime and the present Government was constructing ten bridges, four roads and other developmental projects. He demanded to make provision in the next budget for installing hand pumps in the area keeping in view the problem of drinking water.
Balbihai Panchayat Pradhan Shri Kishan Kumar welcomed the Chief Minister.
Vice Chairman, State Disaster Management Authority Shri Rajender Rana, Vice Chairman, KCCB Shri Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Ex MLAs Shri Manjit Dogra, Shri B.D. Lakhanpal and Smt. Anita Verma, District Congress President Shri Naresh Thakur, Chairman, APMC Hamirpur Shri Prem Kaushal, PCC Delegate Shri Rajender Jar, Block Congress President Shri Surjit Kumar, Director Industries Shri Rajender Singh, Deputy Commissioner Shri Rohan Thakur, senior officers and prominent persons of the area were present on the occasion.