Kaffota Koti bridge inaugurated

Rs. 107 crore Lal Dhank-Paonta-Shillai-Ronhat-Rohru National Highway would bring sea change in the economy of the Shillai area and connect the same with national mainstream besides benefitting growers in marketing their produce to markets conveniently.

This was stated by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister while addressing a mammoth public meeting at Jong Koti in Paonta Sahib of district Sirmaur after he dedicated motorable bridge on Kaffota-Koti road over river Tons completed at a cost of Rs. 385.73 lakh to the people of the area connecting Uttrakhand with Himachal and laid foundation stone of Mashoo, lift irrigation scheme estimated to cost of Rs. 171.99 lakh today.

Chief Minister announced Rs. 20 lakh for construction of Jong-Andras Nor, Rs. 10 lakh for Balikoti, Rs. 10 lakh for Panwar to Neda, Rs. 10 lakh for Pashmi to Bangti roads and upgradation of GHS Panog to Senior Secondary School, Govt. Middle School Sharli and Shagwa Kando to Govt. High School from coming academic session. He assured people of sympathetic consideration of all genuine demands of the area.

Prof. Dhumal said that Rs. 80 crore ambitious Atal Bijli Bachat Yojna had been launched in the State to save on power bills of over 16 lakh domestic consumers as also save power in the State so that the same could be utilized for other bonafide purposes. He said that distribution of four free CFL bulbs was in progress in the State and soon every domestic consumer would be getting the free CFL bulbs against their domestic bills near to their home. He added that the scheme was bound to save power so that it could be made available to other needy purposes.

Chief Minister said that State Government was providing subsidized ration to the ration card holders and spending Rs. 140 crore over the same during current financial year. He said that welfare of poor and down trodden was the priority in every programme and policy of the State Government and funds were no constraint in achieving the objective.

Prof. Dhumal said that social security pension had been enhanced from Rs. 200 to Rs. 300 per month from January, 2008 after coming to power and adding 10 percent more from January this year thereby increasing Rs. 130 per month within a short span of one year. He said that daily wagers had also been given 33 percent increase in one go benefitting about 5 lakh families in the same and the enhanced wages were also ensured in private sector and NAREGA schemes as well so that there was no discrimination. He said that women were provided free travelling facilities in HRTC buses on Raksha Bandhan and Bhaiya Dooj festivals, with public holidays to working women in the State. He added that Rs. 6.80 crore were being spent under B.R. Ambedkar Bhawan Yojna constructing one such building in all 68 assembly segments all over the State during current financial year.

Prof. Dhumal said that road connectivity was on the top agenda of the State Government and funds were no constraint in achieving the objective. He said that Jono bridge over Tons river had been constructed at a cost of Rs. 386 lakh and connected neighbouring State of Uttrakhand with the State to reduce the distance between both the States. He added that more such projects of roads and bridges were under execution in district Sirmaur to strengthen road connectivity network.

Chief Minister said that Rs. 353 crore ambitious Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhaya Kisan Baagwan Samridhi Yojna had been launched in the State from January this year to strengthen the agriculture and horticulture sector with modern farming facilities. He said that 28,880 poly houses and 30 thousand small irrigation schemes would be constructed in the State. He said that the best incentives of 80 percent subsidy would be made available to the beneficiaries in farming sector.

Shri Harshwardhan Chauhan, MLA Shillai also welcomed the Chief Minister to his home segment and thanked him for dedicating Jong bridge to public and also for implementing shamlat land reforms in the district during his earlier tenure. He urged Chief Minister for raising tribal status demand with GOI to Jaunsar Babar, Transgiri area for speedy development. He also apprised him of various other demands of the area.

Shri Virender Kashyap, former Chairman, Marketing Board also addressed the meeting and thanked for increasing the Special SC Component Plan by 157 percent.

Shri Rajender Negi, General Secretary, District Sirmaur BJP welcomed Chief Minister and thanked for Rs. 107 crore National Highway passing through Shillai segment.

Shri Baldev Tomar, Vice President, BJP Kisan Cell also welcomed the Chief Minister.

Dr. Rajiv Bindal, Health Minister, Shri Jai Ram Thakur, MLA and President, State BJP, Shri Sukh Ram Chaudhary, MLA, Paonta Sahib, Ms. Shyama Sharma, former MLA, Shri Chander Mohan Thakur, Vice President, State BJP, Shri Baldev Bhandari, President, District Sirmaur BJP, Shri Pratap Singh Tomar, BJP Shillai Mandal President, Shri Pushpender Thakur, Deputy Commissioner, Shri J.P. Singh, S.P. , Shri R.C. Gupta, Engineer in- Chief, HPPWD, senior officers and prominent people of the area were present on the occasion.