State Government fighting a strong legal battle to get back the Shanan project: CM

SHIMLA - 17^thOctober, 2024-Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of eight projects worth Rs. 76.31 crore in Jogindernagar Assembly constituency of Mandi district. The Chief Minister dedicated the newly constructed B and D block of Mini Secretariat building at Jogindernagar constructed with an outlay of Rs 23.90 crore. He dedicated the newly constructed auditorium in Government College Jogindernagar built with a cost of Rs. 10.50 crore, a bridge constructed on Rana Khad on Jogindernagar-Sarkaghat-Ghumarwin road at the cost of rupees eight crore and drinking water scheme constructed in Gram Panchayat Pasal and Sagnehad at the cost of Rs. 3.70 crore to the people of the area.

The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for the improvement and expansion of the old drinking water supply scheme for Gram Panchayat Dhelu, Nichla Garodua, Dart Bagla etc. areas at the cost of Rs. 13.66 crore in Jogindernagar. He also laid the foundation stone of the channelization project in village Dol at the cost of Rs. 7.10 crore and Dol Nala, Chho Nala and Gadyada Nala at the cost of Rs. 7.21 crore. He also performed the Bhoomi Pujan of the bridge to be constructed on Sarohli-Sukkad Khad at the cost of Rs. 2.24 crore.

He launched the Dei 2.0 program for empowerment of daughters of Mandi district. He felicitated seven girls and provided incentives of Rs. 10 thousands each to them under the programme.

While addressing a huge public gathering at Mela Ground, Jogindernagar, the Chief Minister said that the state government would provide entire funds required for the construction of 32 roads in Jogindernagar assembly constituency. He said that soon doctors would be appointed in Jogindernagar Hospital besides a residential accommodation would also be constructed for doctors and nurses. He said that a new building of Makredi school would be constructed and new trades will be introduced in ITI Jogindernagar.

The Chief Minister also announced the construction of a bridge at Bharmera-Banog and a Bailey bridge along the Chhamb Kuthehra Baddu road. He announced to provide Rs. 20 thousands each to Mahila Mandals.

The Chief Minister said that due to the policies of the present state government, Himachal was steadily moving towards a self-reliant state and few hard decisions were being taken to improve the economy and to benefit the people of the State in long run. He said that to strengthen the rural economy, wheat and maize crops grown through natural farming are being purchased at the rate of Rs. 40 and Rs. 30 per kg respectively. The minimum support price of cow milk has been increased from Rs. 32 to Rs. 45 and the minimum support price of buffalo milk has been increased from Rs. 47 to Rs. 55.

During the disaster last monsoons major damage was caused to the public and private property and the Government took immediate measures to provide relief to the people. An assistance of Rs. 2.26 crore was provided for Jogindernagar Assembly Constituency to rehabilitate the people affected by the disaster.

He said that the matter of Bhubhu Jot Tunnel has been raised with the Prime Minister and if leader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur does not create hindrances at Delhi to stop this project, then Himachal Pradesh was sure to get this clear the proposal.

Referring to the Shanan Hydel Project, the Chief Minister said that the state government was fighting a strong legal battle in the Supreme Court to get back the project which was handed over to the Punjab Government on 99 years lease period. He reiterated that if SJVN does not agree to the conditions of the state government, then the state government will acquire 210 MW Luhri Hydro Electric Project Phase-I, 66 MW Dhaulasidh Hydro Electric Project and 382 MW Sunni Hydro Electric Projects.

The Chief Minister accused the double engine government for making huge irregularities in the financial sector from 2017 to 2022 but the present state government has taken effective steps to ensure financial discipline. He said that for political gains, the BJP distributed freebies worth Rs. 5000 crore before the assembly elections and made electricity and water free. Big hotels were also given the benefit of subsidy. He said that the present government rationalized the subsidy, but no such burden has been placed on the common man. The Chief Minister said that the BJP tried to topple an elected government in Himachal Pradesh through 'Operation Lotus' but people of Himachal Pradesh once again restored faith in Congress by giving a huge mandate in bye-elections.

He said that Jai Ram Thakur blames the present government but he himself did nothing for Mandi district while he was Chief Minister. He kept the people of Mandi entangled in war of words.

Due to steps taken for financial discipline, the state government has earned a revenue of Rs. 2200 crore during the last 20 months.

The State gets a share of the tax received by the Centre from Himachal Pradesh, which was the legitimate right of the state. Shri Sukhu said, as the Chief Minister of the State, "I will not let the wealth of the state be looted".

Shri Sukhu said that State Congress Secretary Jeevan Thakur was dedicatedly working for the service of the people of the area and people should stand by him in all odds.

The Children of Jogindernagar contributed towards Chief Minister Sukh Aashray Kosh from their piggy bank savings.

MLA Prakash Rana welcomed Chief Minister on his arrival in Jogindernagar and said that he was guiding the state of Himachal on the path of development with a positive mindset. He said that the Chief Minister works for the welfare of all sections of the society without any discrimination.

Jeevan Thakur also welcomed the Chief Minister in Jogindernagar and thanked him for all the developmental projects. He said that the Chief Minister was personally engaged in protecting the interests of the state. He said that the state government was taking effective steps to get back the 110 MW capacity Shanan project and the Vyas Valley project would be completed soon. He also thanked the CM for the approval of the 270 MW capacity pump storage project in Thane-Paloon.

Earlier, the Chief Minister was accorded a warm welcome by the local people in Jogindernagar.

On this occasion, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Kishori Lal, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, MLA Chandershekhar, Chairman APMC Mandi Sanjeev Guleria, Former Minister Prakash Chaudhary, Congress leaders Pawan Thakur, Vijay Pal Singh, Jagdish Reddy, Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan and Superintendent of Police Sakshi Verma along with other dignitaries were present.

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SHIMLA -17^th October, 2024

Clarification regarding the amendment made in the freight charges of HRTC

A spokesperson of Himachal Road Transport Corporation said here today that misleading information is being published in some sections of media regarding the amendment made in the freight charges policy of the corporation. He said that this information is not based on facts.

He clarified that no fare is being charged for personal and household goods weighing up to 30 kg per passenger or two bags/baggage/boxes of any size. No change has been made in this provision and it continues as before.

He said that the amendment made in freight charges policy pertains to bag/baggage/box of any size containing automobile spare parts, electronic items, electric items, dry fruits, new vessels, cosmetic items, hosiery items, medicines and medical appliances. Earlier, higher fares were charged for these items but now after the amendment, the fare rates for these items have been reduced by 75 percent.

He said that earlier for these commercial items, a passenger fare was charged without a passenger for a bag/luggage/box weighing up to 40 kg. Now it has been divided into slabs to reduce the fare charges. For example, earlier a passenger fare was charged for baggage with these commercial items weighing four kg without a passenger and half the passenger fare was charged with the passenger. Now after the amendment, it has been reduced to one-fourth of the passenger fare.

He clarified that Himachal Road Transport Corporation has reduced the fare for commercial items. The corporation has not made any change in the fare for carrying personal items, household items, apple boxes, school bags, women's purses, laptops, fruit and vegetable boxes, flower boxes, newspapers and other materials.

He said that an attempt is being made to mislead people by publishing misleading information regarding the fare. He urged people not to pay attention to such misinformation as these are not based on facts.