Shimla, August 6, 2015: Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today announced opening of degree college at Chowki Maniar in Chintpurni assembly segment of Una district. He also inaugurated and laid foundation stones of the development projects worth Rs.11.50 crore.
Shri Virbhadra Singh announced up-gradation of Government Middle Schools Suhin and Tandri to High Schools, Rs. 5 lakh for construction of boundary wall of Ambedkar Bhawan with wash room facilities at Amb. He also announced opening of Ayurveda dispensary at Gangoti, construction of science block at GSSS Amb and to start science streams in GSSS Diara and Suri.
He inaugurated drinking water supply scheme at Suhin completed with an outlay of Rs 1.06 crore which will benefit population of around 2000 of four villages of the area. He laid foundation stones of a bridge over Garni khud in Una to cost Rs 6.39 crores, CDPO/ Tehsil welfare office at Amb to cost Rs 1.50 crore and Community Health Centre at Dhussara which will cost Rs. 2.5 crore.
Later, addressing a public meeting at Dhussara, he said Rs. 922 crore were being spent on channelisation of river Swan and its 73 tributaries to reclaim the land.
He said that the State government would take up the issue of opening of CSD (Army depot) at Una where abundance land was available. Besides, the matter pertaining to release of the first installment of Rs. 323 crore which was in 70:30 ratios for Swan channelisation would also be taken up with the government of India.
The Chief Minister said that congress party never differentiate with any area in the matter of development however it was unfortunate that Shri Anurag Thakur was trying to stall the works in Una district. He added, if Shri Thakur wanted to take credit of development, he can do so but at least should initiate the pending works causing inconvenience to the people.
The Chief Minister questioned the participation of additional solicitor general, who being a government employee was appearing in cases in favour of accused in HPCA case in HP High Court. This was a matter of grave concern which would be taken up with the Prime Minister as to how a government employee can argue cases in favour of private party on government expenses.
Shri Virbhadra Singh said he did not have personal animosity with anyone but it was amazing the way the BJP leaders were casting aspersions and leveling false charges against him and family members. He said it was for the first time in the history of the States politics that BJP took politics for personal gains and was involved in mudslinging. Unlike Shanta Kumar, who was a man of principles, Prem Kumar Dhumal, while serving as a Chief Minister framed false charges against me, he said.
“I resigned as a Central Minister at the very time to upkeep the sanctity of the political post and as per ethics and faced the session trial and came out clean”, said the Chief Minister.
On the issue of Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA), he said he was not against cricket but the way the HPCA was transformed into a company and renamed it as Himalayan Players Cricket Association and again registered it under the company act was unjustifiable. He added the government was ready to take back cases if HPCA gets itself registered under the co-operative act and hold its election democratically.
Earlier, the Chief Minister paid obeisance at Mata Chintpurni temple and also performed Yajna on the occasion.
He met a delegation of Aanganwadi Workers at Amb and assured to redress their grievances. He also inspected multi-parking site of a Rs 45 crore complex to be funded by Asian Development Bank and the temple trust.
Industries Minister Shri Mukesh Agnihotri said that the previous Government was trying its level best to ‘gherao’ Shri Virbhadra Singh with a motive of rooting out congress from the State but had failed miserably at all fronts. Out of sheer frustration the BJP leaders were resorting to misleading statements and trying to level false allegation of Virbhadra Singh’s assets including his income tax returns besides targeting his family.
Shri Agnihotri said their selfish motive would never be fulfilled adding that the BJP had framed false charges against Shri Virbhadra Singh earlier too and got initiated CBI inquiry against him stood out clear and acquitted.
Shri Mukesh Agnihotri blamed the BJP completely failed to get first installment of Swan Channelisation and could not initiate opening of Indian Oil Depot at Una and was now persistently creating hindrances. It was the BJP which halted the process of opening of Army depot at Una.
Chairman, State Finance Commission, Shri Kuldeep Kumar listed the developments taken place in the district during present government’s regime. He said the constituency was completely ignored by the previous government which performed foundation stones of development projects without adequate finances to complete the works except misguiding the people.
He thanked the Chief Minister for taking an initiative for undertaking channelising of Swan River and its tributaries. He also placed forth the demands of the area.
Shri Satish Sharma, Pradhan Gram panchayat Dhussara thanked the Chief Minister for laying foundation stone of various developmental projects in the area.
DCC President Shri Virendar Dharmani, Block President Congress Committee Shri Pritam Singh Jamwal, BDC Chariman Shri Mastan Singh, Member, BoD HRTC Shri Rakesh Gauta were also present on the occasion amongst others.