Top-most priority be given to development preferences of elected representatives, says Himachal Pradesh CM

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], January 18 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday said that the top-most priority must be given to development preferences of the elected representatives and the state government is ensuring that paucity of funds does not come in the way of development of the state.
Thakur was presiding over the evening session of meeting with the MLAs for finalization of priorities for Budget 2022-23 with the MLAs of Chamba, Shimla and Lahaul and Spiti districts here today.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the whole world had to face the wrath of COVID-19 and the state Government laid special focus on strengthening of health infrastructure in the State to meet this challenge. He said that there were only two oxygen plants in the State two years ago and today, there are 48 oxygen plants in different parts of the state.
He said that Ayushman Bharat scheme of the Union Government and Mukhyamantri HIMCARE scheme of the state government provided much needed relief to the people during the critical illness. Similarly, the Mukhya Mantri Sahara Yojna has been proving a boon to the families with critically ill patients as Rs 3000 per month was being provided to such families under this scheme, he added.
The Chief Minister said that 186 projects worth Rs 965.41 crore have been sanctioned under National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) under various MLA priority schemes for the year 2021-22. He said that provision of total annual plan outlay of Rs 18,500 crore was made during the first four years (2013-14 to 2016-17) tenure of the previous state Government, as compared to Rs 34,474 crore made during the first four years of the present tenure of the state Government during the period 2018-19 to 2021-22.
Thakur said that as many as 51 MLAs shared their views during this two-day MLA priority meeting. He said that this meeting would go a long way in forming realistic plans for development of their respective areas. He said that all the members were given sufficient time to express their views and highlight their priorities. He assured the MLAs that all the issues raised by them would be taken seriously and efforts would be made to include them in coming budget.
He said that adequate funds were being provided under NABARD, Central Roads Fund (CRF) and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for construction of roads and bridges. He said that roads were lifeline for hill economy and the Government was giving top priority to this sector. He said that the state has made tremendous progress in health, education, agriculture and horticulture sectors.

Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj and Information Technology Minister Dr Ram Lal Markanda also gave their valuable suggestions on the occasion.
MLA Bharmour Jia Lal said that Bharmani Mata and Bhanoti rope ways and Bharmour Hospital building must be constructed at the earliest to facilitate the people of the area. He said that heli-taxi services must be started for Chamba and Bharmour. He also urged the Chief Minister to open petrol pump at Pangi to facilitate the people of the area. He said that posts of radiologist must be filled in Bharmour hospital. He thanked the Chief Minister for according forest clearance of Holi-Utrala road.

MLA Chamba Pawan Nayyar said that 58 new roads, 5 bridges and 15 building were constructed in Chamba constituency during the last four years and most of them were nearing completion. He said that rope way should be constructed between Chamba to Khajjiyar which would give big boost to tourism development in the area. He urged the Chief Minister to promote Chamba from tourism point of view. He also urged the Chief Minister to provide adequate funds for sewerage plan for Sultanpur.

MLA Shimla Rural Vikramaditya Singh said that some roads of his MLA priority were still hanging in fire due to delay in preparation of DPRs. He said that drinking water supply must be provided from Kol Dam to areas falling under Shakrodi, Sunni panchayats etc. He said that work on Community Health Centre building Shoghi must also be started soon. He urged the Chief Minister to establish shooting range at a suitable place in his constituency at the earliest. He said that a few financial powers must be provided to the BMO under the Rogi Kalayan Simities. He said that a milk collection centre must be opened at Shoghi and a sabzi mandi must be constructed at Basantpur.
MLA Chopal Balbir Singh Verma said that snow cutter may be provided and crash barriers must be installed on the roads of the area. He said that funds must be provided for Civil Hospital Kupvi so that it could be completed soon. He said that petrol pump and fire station should be opened at Kupvi. He also felt the need for repair and renovate Forest Houses in the area.
MLA Bhatiyat Virkam Jaryal urged the Chief Minister to open PWD and Jal Shakti Divisions in Chuwari area of the constituency. He said adequate funds must be provided for maintenance and construction of roads in the area. He also felt the need to open petrol pump in the constituency and Civil hospital Chuwari may be upgraded to 100 bedded hospital.
MLA Theog Rakesh Singha while addressing the meeting virtually said that better mechanism of CA store need to be evolved to ensure remunerative price to the farmers for their produce. He said that HPMC run CA store must give preference to farmers of the State for storage of their produce and even steps must take to ask CA stores in private sector to give preference to farmers. He also felt the need to motivate the farmers to adopt high density plants. He also felt the need for opening of a major district hospital preferably at Theog to cater to the health requirements of people of the area. He urged the Chief Minister to upgrade Primary Health Centres of Narkanda and Matiyana to Community Health Centres.
MLA Kasumpti Anirudh Singh said that DPRs of major roads of MLA priorities must be given top priority. He said that Lakkar Bazar bus stand should be transferred to Dhalli to avoid traffic congestion. He said that provisions must also be made for providing funds to open gyms under Mukhya Mantri Khel Yojna. He said that girls college could be opened at Malayana.
MLA Jubbal-Kotkhai Rohit Thakur said that priority must be given to the area under the PMGSY, keeping in view difficult topography of the area. He said that Kharapathar tunnel must be constructed to ensure all weather road connectivity to the area, besides reducing the distance from Shimla to Rohru by about 12 kms. He said that provision of crash barriers must be made in DPRs of roads itself to make the road more safe and secure. He also felt the need to bring high density plantation under the ambit of subsidy. He said that cold store must be established at Kharapathar to facilitate the horticulturists. He urged the Chief Minister to provide adequate staff in HPSEB sub division at Kotkhai and repair and maintenance of 22 KV Power Control Centre at Ghungli Dhar. He also urged the Chief Minister to develop the area from tourism point of view.
MLA Rohru Mohan Lal Brakta said that MLA fund and discretionary grant must be increased. He said that the building of Civil Hospital Rohru was ready for inauguration and should be inaugurated at the earliest. He said that new X-Ray and Ultra sound machine must be provided in the civil hospital besides creating a trauma centre. He said that Community Health Centre Sandasu should be upgraded to Civil Hospital and Primary Health Centre Samarkot to Community Health Centre. He said that road leading to Dodrakawar must be maintained properly and adequate staff should be provided in Dodra and Kawar heath institutions. He said that fire station must be opened at Chirgaon.
Additional Chief Secretary Finance Prabodh Saxena, while welcoming the Chief Minister and other dignitaries present on the occasion, urged the MLAs to give their valuable suggestions so that the same could be included in the budget for the year 2022-23. (ANI)