CHAMBA: Apart from announcing International status to the Minjar Fair of Chamba, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today launched Pragatisheel Himachal: Sthapna Ke 75 Varsh to commemorate 75 years of formation of Himachal Pradesh at historic Chamba Chaugan.
While addressing the people on this historic occasion, the Chief Minister said when the nation is celebrating 75 years of independence, Himachal Pradesh is also celebrating 75 years of its formation.
He said that despite all odds, people of the State worked with utmost dedication and commitment to make Himachal Pradesh one of the most progressive States of the country.
Chief Minister said the Himachal Pradesh has made unprecedented development in all spheres. In 1948 its per capita income was only Rs. 240. Today it is Rs 2,01,873.
GDP of the State has gone up from Rs. 27 crore in 1948 to Rs. 1,75,173 crore. The literacy rate of the State has gone upto 83 percent which was 4.8 percent in 1948, CM said.
The agricultural production in the state has increased from 954 MT to 1500 MT and food grains production in 1948 was 1.99 lakh MT which has increased to 15.14 lakh MT, he added.
Jai Ram Thakur said there were only 228 kms roads in the State at the time of its formation and today the State has over 39,354 kms roads.
He said that PMGSY started by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has played a major role in ensuring rural connectivity.
He said that almost 20,000 kms roads were constructed under PMGSY in the State. He said that Chamba district had only 48 kms roads at the time of its formation, whereas today the district has over 2,660 kms length of roads.
The Chief Minister said that the present State Government in its four and a half years in office has ensured a balanced and all round development of the State.
He said that it was unfortunate that the opposition leaders were raking up baseless issues and trying to mislead the people with an eye on elections.
He said that the present Government was spending over Rs. 1300 crore annually on providing social security pension to the needy as compared to only Rs. 400 crore spent by the previous State Government.
The Minjar Fair as symbol of unity among Hindu-Muslims, Chief Minister accorded International Status to Minjar Fair on the demand raised by local MLA Pawan Nayyar. Proper lighting would be made for the beautification of Chamba Chaugan, he added.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the exhibition based on the theme Himachal Tub Aur Ab put up by various departments, boards and corporations on the occasion.
A theme song on 75 years of existence of Himachal Pradesh was also released on the occasion. A documentary based on 75 years of glorious history of Himachal Pradesh produced by the Information and Public Relations Department was also screened on the occasion.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated Rs. 13.68 crore upgradation work of Bhareri-Sillagharat road, Rs. 3.24 crore Model Career Center Building of District Employment office and Rs. 80 Lac building of PHC Dhulara.
He also laid the foundation stone of Rs. 3.50 crore residential buildings for the employees of the State Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau at Chamba.
Deputy Speaker State Vidhan Sabha Dr. Hans Raj, Chief Whip Bikram Jaryal, Chairman Agriculture Produce Marketing Board D.S. Thakur, Chairperson Nagar Parishad Neelam Nayyar, District BJP President Jasveer Nagpal, Mandal President Chamba Vinod Kumar, other local BJP leaders and senior officers were present on the occasion.
