While presiding over the meeting with the MLAs of Kangra and Kinnaur districts in the first session of the second day for finalization of priorities for the Budget 2022-23 here today, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur directed officers to address the different issues taken up by the public representatives besides considering their valuable suggestions on priority. He said that Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of various projects should be completed in time bound manner.
Chief Minister said that this meeting was of utmost importance as the MLAs get an opportunity to prioritize their priorities and also giving their valuable suggestions for the Budget. He said that the present State Government during last four years has ensured that every area of the State and every section of the society gets the benefits of welfare and developmental schemes initiated by the State Government. He said that despite the pandemic, the State Government laid special focus on strengthening the health infrastructure in the State. He said that there were only two oxygen plants in the State and today there were 48 oxygen plants in different parts of the State.
Jai Ram Thakur said that several schemes have been initiated to ensure that the weaker sections of the society were not deprived of better heath care for want of funds. He said that under Ayushman Bharat scheme, 4.26 lakh families have been registered and 1.20 lakh people have been provided free treatment worth Rs 145 crore. He said that under the Chief Minister HIMCARE Yojna 5.13 lakh families have been registered and 2.20 lakh families have been provided financial benefits of about Rs. 200 crore.
Chief Minister said that under the Ujjwala Yojna of the Centre and Grihini Suvidha Yojna of the State Government, more than 4.69 lakh families of the State have been provided with free gas connections worth Rs 141.71 crore. He said that the State Government was laying special focus on MLAs priorities. He said that provision of Rs 2,363.80 crore was made for the implementation of MLAs priority schemes in the five years of the previous government’s tenure, whereas the present government has made a provision of Rs 3,183.37 crore in the first four years itself.
Deputy Chairman State Planning Board Ramesh Chand Dhawala urged the Chief Minister to open Sub Depot of HRTC at Jawalamukhi. He also urged to use unspent money to construct a stadium at Kathog. He said that adequate funds must be utilized under the ‘Vikas Main Jan Sahyog’ scheme.
Kinnaur district :
MLA Kinnaur Jagat Singh Negi said that adequate budget provision must be made for development of the tribal areas of the State. He also felt the need to do away with the Single Line Administration for the tribal areas as decentralization of power was essential for better governance. He said that better quality must be ensured in installation of towers in power lines to ensure uninterrupted supply of power in the tribal areas. He also urged the Chief Minister not to allow transfer of funds meant for development of tribal areas to the non-tribal areas.
Kangra district :
MLA Indora Rita Dhiman thanked the Chief Minister for being considerate towards the developmental demands of the area. She said that building of the Civil Hospital in Indora must be constructed at the earliest. She said that better grain market must be opened in the area to facilitate the farmers. She said that budget must be provided for irrigation facilities to the farmers of the area. She also felt the need of channelization of Beas river in the area.
MLA Fetahpur Bhawani Singh Pathania said that work on Mini Secretariat building at Fetahpur and Degree College Rey must be taken in hand soon. He said that Pong Dam must be developed as a major water sports destination and a proper policy must be framed in this regard. He said that additional funds be provided for several roads of the area and effectives steps must be taken to curb drug menace in the area.
MLA Jawali Arjun Singh said that special provisions must be made for providing adequate irrigation facilities to the farmers of the area. He also urged the Chief Minister for proper maintenance of Dehra-Nagrota Surian-Jawali road. He said that Nagrota Surian Hospital must be strengthened and Police Chowki Nagrota Surian may be upgraded to Police Station. He also urged the Chief Minister to enhance bus services for the area.
MLA Dehra Hoshiyar Singh said that daily wages of the MNREGA workers must be enhanced atleast at par with the minimum wages. He also urged the Chief Minister for proper rehabilitation of the Pong Dam Oustees. He said that work on Dehra Campus of Central University must be expedited. He said that a combined office building must be constructed at Haripur and a Transport Nagar be established in the area.
MLA Jaisinghpur Ravinder Dhiman said that notification of Jal Shakti division in Jaisinghpur may be issued at the earliest. He said that adequate funds be provided for various developmental infrastructures in the area.
MLA Nagrota Bagwan Arun Kumar said that a proper industrial area may be developed in the constituency to attract investors to invest in the area. He also urged to construct a PWD Rest House in Nagrota Bagwan. He said that adequate funds be provided for maintenance of all major irrigation schemes of the area. He also urged the Chief Minister to open a Central School in the constituency.
MLA Kangra Pawan Kajal said that the flash food last year has adversely affected the irrigation kuhals in the area which need to be maintained to facilitate the farmers. He said that MRI and other equipments must be maintained well in Tanda Medical College as this institution covers six districts of the State. He said that an IT park must be established in the constituency.
MLA Dharamshala Vishal Nehariya said that local stone slates must be used in construction of Central University at Dharamshala to give it a traditional touch. He said that work on Bus Stand Dharamshala must be taken in hand soon. He said that under the Smart City Project, street lights must be installed on the town at the earliest. He said that Jal Shakti Sub Division must be opened at Dharmashala and Yol Police Post be upgraded to Police Station. He also felt the need for new medical block at Dharamshala.
MLA Palampur Ashish Bhutail said that a BDO office may be opened at Palampur. He said that specialist doctors may be provided in Palampur hospital. He also urged the Chief Minister to provide adequate ambulances to health institutions in Palampur constituency. He said that a proper development plan may be prepared for planned development of Palampur town. He said that a War Memorial and a Para Gliding Training School should be setup at Palampur.
MLA Baijnath Mulkraj Premi thanked the Chief Minister for announcing ITI, Combined Office and degree college at Chotta Bangal in Baijnath constituency. He said that Bir-Baragaon road should be constructed at the earliest keeping in view its tourism importance. He also thanked the Chief Minister for providing solar lights at Bara Bangal. Ha also urged to provide proper drinking water facility for Baijnath and Paprola. He also urged to construct Baijnath bypass for smooth plying of the vehicles.
Additional Chief Secretary Finance Probodh Saxena, while welcoming the Chief Minister and other dignitaries present on the occasion, said that the 205 DPRs have been prepared by various departments and have been sent to the Planning department.
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Sarveen Chaudhary, Industries Minister Bikram Singh Thakur also gave their valuable suggestions on the occasion.
Chief Secretary Ram Subhag Singh, Additional Chief Secretaries Nisha Singh, R.D. Dhiman and J.C. Sharma, Director General of Police Sanjay Kundu, PCCF Ajay Shrivastava, Principal Secretaries R.D. Nazeem, Subhashish Panda, Bharat Khera and Devesh Kumar, Secretaries Dr Ajay Sharma, Rajiv Sharma, Amithbh Awasthi and S.S Guleria and Advisor Planning Dr Basu Sood attended the meeting, whereas heads of departments, Deputy Commissioners and other officers participating through video conference.
