Himachal to develop Chamera Reservoir for water sports
Shimla: Chamera reservoir to be developed for water sports and Rs. 50 lakh to be spent, Rs. 353 crore to be spent over modern farming to benefit about 60,000 families, Rs. 150 crore being spent upon subsidized essential commodities, SDM Office at Salooni to be considered.
This was stated by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister while addressing a mammoth public meeting at Salooni in Banikhet assembly segment of district Chamba in the interior of the district after he laid foundation stone of Government Degree College building estimated to cost Rs. 8.30 crore today.
Chief Minister said that Rs. 197 crore were being spent over creation of education infrastructure in the State during current financial year which was about 150 per cent more to the previous financial year. He said that Rs. 36.72 crore would be spent under IPH activities, Rs. 8.02 core under BASP etc. programmes was being spent besides Rs. 19.60 crore under B&R activities in Banikhet segment. He said that 29 km of new roads had been constructed against the target of 31 kms for current financial year. He said that Rs. 70 crore power evacuation scheme had been launched for Chamba district so that power generated in the Ravi basin was evacuated to outside the valley. He said that Rs. 24.18 crore were also being spent under Rajeev Viddutikaran Yojna.
Prof. Dhumal said that women empowerment was on top agenda of the State Government and 50 percent reservation would be implemented in coming PRI elections in the State. He said that one women IRB to generate 1007 avenues of employment to women had been decided to be set up in district Bilaspur. He said that women empowerment and socio-economic upliftment of the women was being accorded top priority. He added that three women constables would be listening to the women complaints in each police station of the State.
Chief Minister said that Rs. 353 crore agricultural projects sanctioned for the State would be benefiting about 60,000 families who would be eligible to draw 80 per cent subsidy for the poly houses, irrigation and allied agricultural activities. He said that the duo schemes aims at strengthening the farming sector so that the farming would emerge as employment generating activity and fetch remunerative prices to the farmers with their produce. He emphasised the need for organic farming, which was in great demand in the market.
Prof. Dhumal said that the State Government was laying stress upon vocational education so that the educated youth were equipped with vocational skills which could ensure them employment and self employment. He said that Banikhet Polytechnic would be completed at a cost of Rs. 24.38 crore where five latest trades would be available to the students with hostel facilities to 100 each for girls and boys. He criticised the previous government for laying foundation stones of developmental projects without any budgetary provisions and planning.
Chief Minister said that Chamba district had the potential to exploit its natural wealth for tourism promotion which would attract more visitors to the area by creating additional infrastructure which could cater to the emerging requirements to retain visitors for some more time. He said that the State government would be creating infrastructure in the Chamera reservoir which would generate employment and self-employment to the local youth. He said that Rs. 50 lakh would be spent over creation of infrastructure for promotion of adventure sports activities in the area.
