Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday said that an amount of over Rs 203 crore has been spent on various developmental projects in Doon Vidhan Sabha area during the last three years tenure of the present State Government.

The Chief Minister said this after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of projects worth about   Rs 29 crore in Doon Vidhan Sabha area of Solan district.

He said that the work is also in progress on projects worth Rs 240 crore during the present tenure of the State Government.

“Soon after assuming office, the very first decision of the state Cabinet was aimed at the welfare of the common man by lowering the age limit for availing old age pension without any income limit from 80 years to 70 years. The second decision made in the cabinet was to establish cow sanctuaries in the state so that cows are not left stray. A decision was taken to levy cess of Rs 2 per bottle of liquor to provide financial assistance to construct Gau Sadans and Cow sanctuaries in the state, Thakur said. 

He said that people of the state have given their massive support and cooperation to the present State Government during the last three years.

He further said that programmes like Jan Manch and CM helpline has helped in redressal of public grievances. HIMCARE has proved boon to the poor families for providing free treatment upto Rs 5 lakh and Sahara Yojana has helped those families with chronically ill patients, he added.

The Chief Minister directed the officers to ensure time bound completion of all the developmental projects, foundation stones of which were laid by him.

He also announced upgradation of PHC of Patta Malog to Community Health Centre, Rs 1 crore for expansion of Cow sanctuary at Handa Kundi and opening of PWD Sub Division at Chandi.

Thakur said that efforts would be made to open PHC at Manpura and upgradation of High School Jharmajri to Senior Secondary School.

Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated indoor stadium at Baddi constructed at a cost of Rs 6.74 crore and Cow Sanctuary at Handa Kundi developed at a cost of about Rs 3 crore. He laid the foundation stone of Community Health Centre at Barotiwala to be constructed at a cost of Rs 2 crore, four laning of Sun City road from Baddi entry point bridge to Petrol Pump near SP Office to be built at a cost of Rs 4 crore.

Speaking on the occasion, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and Animal Husbandry Minister Virender Kanwar said that the Handa Kundi Cow sanctuary would not only ensure that not even a single cow is left abandoned on the roads, but would also protect crops of the farmers.

He said that the State Government has decided to establish Cow Sanctuaries in all the districts of the State. He expressed hope that by June 2022, the state would become free from abandoned cows.