Revolving restaurant to be constructed at Dharamshala

State Government would extend all possible help to HPCA for elaboration of its activities in the State as also construction of club house and revolving restaurant at Dharamsala to meet the global requirements in cricket.

This was stated by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister while addressing the civic reception organized by HPCA to honour its President Shri Anurag Thakur for being elected as a Member of Parliament with record votes, after he laid the foundation stone of the Rs. 7.5 crore Indoor Cricket Stadium and Rehabilitation Centre to be constructed by the H.P. Cricket Association for sportsmen and sports lovers today.

Chief Minister said that Dharamsala had been bestowed with immense natural grandeur and international cricket stadium had added to the importance of the town. He said that with the addition of club house revolving restaurant tourists flow to the town would increase.

Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal criticized the previous State Government for politicizing the sports and adopting vindictive attitude towards the sports activities in the State. He said that State was giving added attention towards the promotion of spots activities during current financial year. He said that the State Government would be extending all possible help to elaborate the sports activities down to the tehsil level. He assured the HPCA of all help in implementation of its project to construct multi sports stadium in all the district headquarters. He said that all modalities would be chalked out at appropriate level to pave the way for construction of sports stadium all over the State. He added that Dharamsala was fast coming up as an international destination for sports as world class sports infrastructure was being constructed. He said that the State Government had honoured all the outstanding sports persons for their valuable contribution.

Chief Minister congratulated the HPCA for its concerted sports promotion endeavours and for making name in the cricket world.

Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal also honoured Shri Anurag Thakur on behalf of the HPCA on his victory in the recently concluded Hamirpur Parliamentary by-election with record margin.

Chief Minister honoured the members of Cricket teams from Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, J&K and Haryana for successfully completing the one-month training camp organized by the National Cricket Academy at Dharamsala.

Shri Kishan Kapoor, Transport Minister also welcomed Chief Minister to his home segment and for dedicating developmental projects worth several crores to the public. He said that Dharamsala was fast emerging a sports destination of world standard as quality infrastructure was coming up. He thanked Chief Minister for sanctioning liberal funds for various

developmental projects in his home segment. He said that 26 new AC bus fleet would be added in HRTC soon beginning from interstate routes and followed by district headquarters and prominent tourist destinations.

Smt. Sarveen Chaudhary, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister congratulated Shri Anurag Thakur on being elected to Parliament with record margin. She said that social welfare activities were being elaborated and with the enhancement in social security pension a major chunk of deserving people got benefitted. She added the State Government was committed to rise to the social welfare call of the people of the State.

Shri Anurag Thakur, MP and President, HPCA welcomed the Chief Minister and said that Rs. 15 crore cricket stadium was being completed at Dharamsala in an unique picturesque location at Dharamsala. He said that soon an indoor cricket stadium and rehabilitation centre would be dedicated at a cost of Rs. 7.5 crore equipped with world class infrastructure and treatment facilities to the injured players.

Shri Thakur said that HPCA would be running a world class club house at Dharamsala in the near future and urged Chief Minister to grant formal permission to construct the club house and revolving restaurant, which would be costing Rs. 15 crore and quality tourism infrastructure added. He said that HPCA had an annual budget of 16 crore. He said that cricket and other sports would be given boost and cricket stadium constructed in every district at a cost of Rs. 25 crore.

Shri R.S. Kapoor, Senior Vice President, HPCA welcomed the Chief Minister and detailed the history of the HPCA especially the Dharamsala Cricket stadium and with the victory in Parliamentary by-election with record votes, the HPCA would get further strengthened.

Shri Kripal Parmar, former MP and Vice President, HPCA proposed vote of thanks.

Shri Vipin Parmar, MLA and President District Kangra BJP, Shri Des Raj Bagi, Chairman, Zila Parishad, Kangra former MLAs, Shri Ashiwani Kapoor, Divisional Commissioner, Shri K.K. Pant, DC, Shri J.R. Katwal, Director, Information and Public Relations and other senior officers were present on the occasion.