States Watch

Himachal Pradesh

Review of Mini Hydel Projects

MANDI : Power Minister and State PCC chief Smt. Vidya Stokes while addressing an impressive gathering of people at the 56th Himachal Day function at Seri Manch, Mandi made a commitment that the State Government has been working on a multi-pronged strategy to fully utilize the 21,000 MW hydel power potential in the state. Under this strategy the State Government would give work to HPSEB in power generation. It will also ensure that employment in private projects was also provided to the local unemployed youth. Smt. Stokes informed that there have been certain complaints regarding the actual generation capacity of the mini power projects as well as the MOU’s signed by the previous government.

Therefore, the government has decided to review all these projects on merit. She said that adequate steps would be taken to control pollution in these projects by ensuring plantation and reclamation through Mahila Mandals, Panchayat bodies and other organizations, she said that all steps would be taken to re-settle the dam oustees in all further projects at the beginning. She also re-affirmed the governments resolve to provide employment to local people in all projects including those implemented by private companies through persuasion to combat unemployment.

In Shimla Shri Kaul Singh Thakur, Public Health and IPH Minister unfurled the tri-color and inspected a guard of honour at the 56th Himachal Day celebrations. Speaking on this occasion he said that Rs. 660 crores would be spent on water supply and informed that an ambitious plan of Rs. 75 crores was being formulated to fulfill the growing water requirement of Shimla town from Giri river. A colourful cultural function was also presented by school children.

- Prof. BR Sharma,
State Representative

2500 Middle Schools in Five Years

DHARAMSHALA : Speaking on the occasion of the 56th Himachal Day function at Dharamshala, the Chief Minister Shri Vir Bhadra Singh said the endeavour of the State Government would be to make elementary education compulsory and 2500 new schools would be opened in the next five years in Himachal Pradesh. He said that social security pension of old,widows and physically challenged would be enhanced and pending cases of pension would be decided soon. The Chief Minister was assertive on the point of review of the MOU’s signed by the previous government to harness hydel power.

Shri Virbhadra Singh reaffirmed that every effort would be made to root out corruption and to provide clean governance. There would be no victimization and action will be taken according to law against the guilty. The Chief Minister paid rich tributes to late Dr. YS Parmar, first Chief Minister of the State.

Outlining the developmental work in the State he said that in 1948 the per capita income was Rs. 240/- which has now gone up to Rs. 18,920/-. Similarly literacy rate from 8 percent in 1948 has gone up to 78 percent. As against 288 km roads, Himachal can boast of 22,000 km road network. Earlier, the Chief Minister unfurled the national flag and took salute from an impressive march-past presented by Himachal Police, Home Guards and Corps from IRB Battalion.