Kangra: Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced Rs 10 crore for the construction of the Bara Bhangal road, assured efforts to secure Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the region and unveiled a slew of development measures during his visit to the remote area of Kangra district, which was recently hit by natural calamities.Sukhu, who visited the area on Saturday night and stayed overnight, interacted with the local residents and inspected the flood-affected areas and reviewed the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts.Stressing on the need to expedite road connectivity to Bara Bhangal, he directed officials to invite separate tenders for each kilometre of the proposed road to accelerate construction. He also discussed the feasibility of transporting construction machinery by air.Assuring residents of an alternative power supply until road connectivity is established, he announced the provision of one diesel generator each for Upper Bara Bhangal and Lower Bara Bhangal. He also discussed the possibility of reviving the flood-damaged hydropower project and exploring solar energy projects for the region.The CM directed officials to develop a distinct brand identity for the famous Bara Bhangal Rajmah (kidney beans) to enhance its market value. Encouraging the promotion of local agriculture and horticulture, he urged residents to plant walnut and chestnut saplings. He also assured better market prices for locally produced meat products and appealed to the farmers to adopt natural farming practices and take advantage of the minimum support price being provided by the govt to promote natural farming.Responding to the demand for mobile connectivity services, the CM assured residents that the govt would engage with private telecom companies to commence mobile services in the area at the earliest. He also directed the officers to identify suitable forest land for promoting tourism activities, especially eco-tourism, and reiterated the govt’s commitment to developing Bara Bhangal as a tourist destination.Quality education for childrenHe also announced that a special incentive scheme would be introduced for students from Bara Bhangal. He said the govt would consider constructing a hostel and ensure access to quality education for children. He also announced that helicopter taxi services would be provided to students at the beginning and end of each academic session and assured arrangements for their admission to CBSE-affiliated schools.To strengthen healthcare services in the remote region, the CM said local residents would be trained to provide primary healthcare support.Addressing a public gathering, the CM said he came to Bara Bhangal not for any political gains, but to understand and share the hardships faced by the people of the area. He remarked that if politics had been his objective, he would have visited more densely populated areas. Instead, he said, his govt’s priority was to ensure that development reaches even the remotest corners of the state. He assured the residents that the govt would declare Bara Bhangal a natural farming panchayat, make efforts to secure Scheduled Tribe status for the region and increase the foodgrain quota at the local ration depot. He also said the govt would explore the construction of protection walls to safeguard the area against floods.The CM announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each for two local Mahila Mandals and Rs 1 lakh for a Yuvak Mandal. He also announced a monthly pension of Rs 1,500 under the ‘Indira Gandhi Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana’ for all eligible women in the region. MSID:: 132050608 413 |
