•Development of remote areas state governments top priority
•Announces Rs. 2 crore for Kasha Pat School, efforts underway to start bus service from Kasha Pat to Rampur via Taklech
After attending the ‘Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar’ programme at Bhatwari in Rohru Assembly constituency of Shimla district, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reached the remote village of Kasha Pat in Rampur Assembly constituency. The Chief Minister stayed overnight in the village at the residence of local resident Supan Das.
The Chief Minister received a warm welcome from the villagers with traditional musical instruments. The villagers also honoured and welcomed him in traditional attire. Cultural programmes were organised by the villagers till late at night. The Chief Minister enjoyed the performances and also joined the villagers in the traditional Nati dance.
The Chief Minister said that he himself comes from a village and believes that the state cannot truly prosper until villages achieve economic prosperity. He said it was a matter of privilege for him to visit a remote area like Kasha Pat as Chief Minister.
He said the state government is giving special priority to the development of remote and far-flung areas so that these regions do not remain behind in the development process.
The Chief Minister announced Rs. 2 crore for the construction of a new school building at Kasha Pat. He also announced the development of a playground in the village and assured the people that their other genuine demands would be considered. He said the state government is ensuring that no child is deprived of education and that students do not face difficulties in travelling to and from school. With this objective, efforts are being made to start a bus service from Kasha Pat to Rampur via Taklech. This will help children reach school on time and return home safely after school.
The Chief Minister said that if a local person purchases a bus costing up to Rs. 30 lakh and starts this service, the state government will provide a 40 percent subsidy. A similar 40 percent subsidy will also be available for the Rohru area. In addition, the bus owner will receive financial assistance of Rs. 50,000 per month for five years.
Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that road construction in Himachal Pradesh often requires permission from the Forest Department. Nearly 68 percent of the state's geographical area is under forest cover, which creates several challenges in constructing roads in remote areas. Despite these challenges, the state government is continuously working to connect far-flung areas with better roads and other basic facilities.
He announced that Rs. 5 lakh each will be provided for the construction of buildings for Mahila Mandals that do not have their own buildings. Mahila Mandals that already have buildings will be provided Rs. one lakh each to purchase essential equipment and other items.
The Chief Minister said that the state government will soon launch the ‘Apna Parivar, Sukhi Parivar’ scheme, under which eligible women will receive a monthly pension of Rs. 1,500. He said the government is also promoting solar energy projects. A four percent interest subsidy is being provided for setting up solar energy projects, while the subsidy has been kept at five percent for tribal areas.
The Chief Minister also appreciated the cultural programmes presented by the villagers and joined them in the Nati dance. He announced Rs. one lakh to encourage the young girls who performed in the cultural programme.
Awareness programmes on serious social issues such as drug abuse and female feticide were also presented during the event. The programmes highlighted the need for people to remain aware and work together against social evils.
The Chief Minister also presented registration certificates to four people who had registered for homestays in Kasha Pat. He said homestays would help promote tourism in remote areas and create new sources of income and employment for local people.
On the occasion of World Tourism Week, the Chief Minister also presented prize money to the winners of a painting exhibition.
Supan Das said the entire village was excited by the Chief Minister's overnight stay in Kasha Pat. He said this was the first time that a Chief Minister had stayed overnight in the village. The villagers had made special arrangements for the occasion and served traditional dishes to the Chief Minister. Veena Devi, a member of Mahila Mandal Kasha Pat, thanked the Chief Minister for fulfilling the demands of the villagers and Mahila Mandals. She said the financial assistance for Mahila Mandals and the announcement of Rs. 2 crore for the new school building would greatly benefit the people of the area.
Advocate General Anoop Rattan, HIMCON Chairman Vikesh Chauhan, Block Congress President Lal Chand Sharma and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
