Will frame stringent laws to eliminate corruption: Chief Minister

The state government was committed to curb corruption and would frame strict laws in future to eradicate it completely. This was stated by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while addressing a public meeting at Fatehpur in Kangra district today where he dedicated 14 developmental projects worth Rs. 232 crore to the people of Fatehpur.

Chief Minister announced opening of Civil Court in Fatehpur, erecting memorial for Martyrs in Fatehpur, sewerage system for Fatehpur and Raja Ka Talab, re-naming Rey College after Late Shri Sujan Singh Pathania. He also announced re-opening of Nangal Patwar Circle, construction of 33 KV sub-station at Talara-Dak-Guriyal-Chakbari and opening of Progeny-cum Demonstration Orchard (PCDO) of Horticulture Department at Fatehpur.

He announced a sum of Rs. 75 lakh for maintenance of a pond at Raja Ka Talab.

The Chief Minister performed the foundation stone laying ceremony of the up-gradation of Gholi bridge and Paplah Khas Banaal to Jakhara Khas road to be completed at a cost of Rs. 5.28 crore, up-gradation work of Chhabar to Kohalri road to be completed at a cost of Rs. 8 crore, up-gradation work of Bhogrwan to Samlata Khas road to be completed at a cost of Rs. 10.38 crore, construction work of Dini-Kumbh-Dhanara road to be completed at a cost of Rs. 6.95 crore, Rajiv Gandhi Government Day-Boarding School Manjhaar to be built at a cost of Rs. 5 crore, construction of a bridge on Bharal rivulet on Dehri-Kandrori road to be completed at a cost of Rs. 10.21 crore, sewerage scheme and drinking water scheme, development works for Rehan-1 and Rehan-2 panchayats at a cost of Rs. 19.36 crore and construction of 800 mtrs bridge on Beas river from Terrace to Sthana at a cost of Rs. 103.65 crore.

The Chief Minister laid foundation stone of indoor stadium Rehan at a cost of Rs. 10 crore, foundation stone of bus stand complex at Fatehpur to cost Rs. 15 crore, police station building Rehan to cost Rs. 8 crore, public library Rehan at a cost of Rs. 5 crore.

He laid the foundation stone of Rs. 15 crore industrial area Jakhbar (Fatehpur) and a cow sanctuary Tatwali at a cost of Rs. 9 crore.

    "I have never compromised with principles in my life and have always raised the voice of poor and downtrodden. I am well aware of the sufferings of the common man, the farmers and the employees as well," he said.

After becoming the Chief Minister, the first challenge was to bring out the state of economic crisis. The Government's can't function properly under the debris of debt and keeping this in mind we took several measures to improve the economy of the state from the existing resources. We feel proud that within a year we have succeeded in bringing 20 percent of the state's economy back on track, he remarked, adding that an additional revenue of Rs. 2200 crore has been achieved due to persistent and earnest efforts of the government for tapping the existing resources.

    The Chief Minister said that just as when the state was recovering from the financial crises, another jolt was in the form of natural disaster, and thereafter the political upheaval the state was presently witnessing. Even Fatehpur was badly affected by the disaster and on the call of local MLA Bhawani Singh Pathania, rescue operations were conducted on war footing here as well.

During the disaster, I visited every district and every affected village of the state to personally to monitor the relief and rescue operations. The Government enhanced the relief package by amending the rules and the norms. Despite financial crunch the government provide a special relief package of Rs. 4500 crore for the affected families.

The government recently fulfilled its fifth guarantee by announcing Rs. 1500 per month to the women folks of the state between 18 to 59 years. Similarly, the government restored the OPS, it launched the Rs. 680 crore Rajiv Gandhi Start-up Yojana for providing self-employment opportunities to the youth, started English medium in all of the government schools and increased the procurement price of cow and buffalo milk to Rs. 45 and Rs. 55, respectively. He said that in order to economically empower the farmers, the government has announced enhancing the support price for organically produced wheat and maize at the rate of Rs. 40 and to Rs. 30 per kg respectively.

It was for the first time that the government organised Revenue Lok Adalats in which till now more than 90 thousand mutation and seven thousand partition cases were resolved.

Earlier, on reaching Fatehpur, the locals accorded warm welcome to the Chief Minister.

MLA Fatehpur and State Planning Board Vice-Chairman Bhawani Singh Pathania welcomed the Chief Minister on his arrival in Fatehpur. He expressed gratitude for fulfilling the announcements made by the Chief Minister. He said that for the progress and prosperity of any area, it was most important to develop means and resources. He said that with the completion of the development works that the Chief Minister has gifted to the area residents today, the local people will get better opportunities for employment and self-employment near their doorsteps.

MLA Sudarshan Bablu, former MLA Ajay Mahajan, Member, (BoD) HPTDC Amber Mahajan, District Congress Committee President, Karan Singh Pathania and Block Congress President Jeet Ram Sharma were also present on the occasion amongst others.