While presiding over the closing ceremony of the International Kullu Dussehra Festival-2022 in the auditorium of Atal Sadan Kullu today, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur announced 15 per cent enhancement in the Nazarana of deities of the Kullu valley and honorarium of Bajantries and 20 per cent increase in the ‘Doori Bhatta' (Distance Allowance) of deities coming from far-away places for Kullu Dussehra.
Chief Minister also announced that as per the demand of the Kardar Sangh, Rs. 1500 allowance would be provided for the deities visiting Kullu Dussehra and not getting Doori Bhatta (distance allowance). He also announced increasing the grant for Haripur Dussehra from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 1.25 lakh, for Manikaran Dussehra from Rs.1 lakh to Rs. 1.25 lakh, for Vishishath Dussehra from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1 lakh.
He also announced that Rs. 50,000 would be provided for the celebration of Dussehra at Naggar.Chief Minister said that the Kullu Dussehra was one of the most important festivals of the State and was celebrated with traditional fervor and gaiety with lakhs of people participating dressed in colourful attire.
He said that this year, the International Kullu Dussehra had become more historic, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the event on 5th of this month. He said that the Prime Minister not only participated in the celebrations but also performed puja and took blessings of Lord Ragunath.
Jai Ram Thakur said that despite the covid pandemic, the State Government ensured that pace of development goes uninterrupted. He said that institutes and Projects like AIIMS, Atal Tunnel etc. were dedicated to the people of the State. He said that projects like Bulk Drug Park, Medical Devices Park etc, were also sanctioned for the State. He said that all this was possible due to the benevolence of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Chief Minister said that the Congress party has completely lost the faith of the people of the State and has no future. He said that on the other hand the BJP has a strong and able leadership in the form of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Chief Minister also released ‘Kullu Dussehra’ souvenir on the occasion.
He also honoured and gave away prizes to the winners of different events on the occasion.He also provided mobile phones to the students under Srinivasa Ramanaujam Scheme. Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated 10 developmental projects worth Rs. 38.25 crore and laid foundation stones of 21 projects worth Rs. 126.05 crore for Kullu district, which includes inauguration of Rs. 10.29 crore additional accommodation in Manali Circuit House, Rs. 4.63 crore Division Office of PWD Manali, Rs. 93 lakh Lift Water Supply Scheme for Chanan basti in Banjar tehsil, Rs. 5.82 crore improvement of Aut-Larji road, Rs. 6.44 crore Water Sports Centres Larji (Kullu and Tattapani( Mandi) Rs. 2.74 crore bridge over Jain Nallah on Bhuntar Manikaran road, Rs. 1.51 crore bridge over Dohra Nallah on Cheshta road, Rs. 1.29 crore additional district library building at Kullu and Rs. 4.60 crore 33/11KV Sub Station Bhutti at Lag Valley.
He also performed opening ceremony of Fire Station Jari.Jai Ram Thakur laid foundation stones of Rs. 6.37 crore Lift Water Supply scheme for villages of Gram Panchayats Buin and Bashona, Rs. 3.10 crore sewerage connectivity to left out areas under MC Kullu, Rs. 8.50 crore upgradation of sewerage treatment plant Badah, Rs. 2.63 crore parking, vender market and pavilion at Dhalpur, Rs. 10.30 crore augmentation of Naithan water supply scheme and water supply scheme in GP Soyal, Naggar, Hallan I, Rs. 5.68 crore improvement and extension of water supply scheme in GP Bran, Katrain and Hallan-II tehsil Manali, Rs. 2.23 crore water supply scheme to Gojra Khakhnal in GP Gojra in Tehsil Manali, Rs. 4.73 crore FPW for balance RD on river Beas (left bank) for village Mehli Bihal and Bagga in GP Archhandi, Rs. 3.61 crore Bandrol Didari Sharan road, Rs. 6.69 crore upgradation of Fozal Neri Kathi Kukari road, Rs. 7.34 crore upgradation to Manali Burwa road, Rs. 9.94 crore upgradation of Patlikuhal Hallan-II road, Rs. 5.04 crore upgradation of Manali Kanyal road, Rs. 7.70 crore upgradation of Chhaki to Hallan road, Rs. 10.69 crore upgradation to Nathan Jana road, Rs. 6.31 crore LWSS Phati Bini, Phati Bihar Kothi Chehni village Rohlo, Shrogi in GP Kothi Chehni, Rs. 2.03 crore Dhagarakohari Janedaglu to Doghar Laul road, Rs. 17.81 crore Ramshilla Bijali Mahadev road, Rs. 35 lakh Shahid Samark Akhara Bazar at Rambagh Kullu, Rs. 1.50 crore multipurpose environment protection centre Bijli Mahadev and Rs. 3.5 crore bus stand Sainj.
Education Minister Govind Thakur, while welcoming the Chief Minister, said that the whole State in general and Kullu district in particular had witnessed all round development during the last five years. He said that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Chief Minister ensured that developmental works do not get affected and also ensured best care and treatment to the corona patients.
He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Prime Minister of the country who have taken part in the International Kullu Dussehra this year. This shows the faith the Prime Minister has in the deities and ‘Dev Sanskriti’ of the State.
MLA Banjar Surender Shourie said that the under the leadership of Chief Minister during the last five years had witnessed unparalleled development in the State. He said that Larji reservoir was gradually emerging as a water sports destination due to the efforts of the Chief Minister.
MLA Anni Kishori Lal Sagar also spoke on the occasion and thanked the Chief Minister for always being considerate towards the developmental aspirations of the people of Anni constituency. He also thanked the Chief Minister for opening the SDM office at Nirmand.
Former Member of Parliament Maheshwar Singh, while welcoming the Chief Minister during the closing ceremony of international Kullu Dussehra, said that the State had witnessed a record development during the last about five years.Deputy Commissioner Kullu Ashutosh Garg presented a vote of thanks.
Vice Chairman HPMC Ram Singh, Vice Chairman Agro Industries Yuvraj Bodh, District BJP President Bhimsen, SP Gurdev Sharma, Director Higher Education Dr. Amarjeet Sharma, President District Kardar Sangh Dot Ram were present on the occasion among others.