Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced sops worth rupees eight crore on his short visit to Bilaspur district today. He performed the foundation stone laying ceremony of Himachal Pradesh's first digital library to be built in Roda sector of Bilaspur, with an estimated outlay of rupees three crore. Besides, he laid the foundation stone of Krishi Bhavan to be constructed at a cost of Rs 5.18 crore in Dholra and directed to complete the construction work of these buildings within two years.
The first digital library of its kind in the state will have books available in the form of digital documents to be accessed through the Internet. More such digital libraries will be opened in 10 Panchayats of different areas of Bilaspur district so that the readers of rural areas can derive benefits from it said Sh. Sukhu. A contract has been signed with Himachal Pradesh State Electronic Development Corporation for this work.
Apart from this the Krishi Bhavan will have the facility of parking, Deputy Director's office, hall for organizing farmers' meetings, video conferencing hall and adequate rooms for officers and employees. Talking to media at the sidelines of the function the Chief Minister said that the recent disaster in Himachal Pradesh has caused huge damage and to help the disaster affected people, the state government has issued a special relief package of Rs 4500 crore.
The government is trying its best to help the affected families with its own resources, he added. Assistance will also be distributed to the disaster affected people of Bilaspur district on 25th October in my presence, said Sh. Sukhu. The state has sent claims of Rs 12 thousand crore related to the disaster to the Central Government, but hope of special relief package seems to be blur, he said.
"I have personally met the Prime Minister and the Home Minster, besides other leaders of Union Government and have also raised the issue with the National BJP, President. I have urged them all to release the funds as soon as possible as per the rules pertaining to the claims already sent" said the Chief Minster. The BJP continues to bake political bread even during the disaster and their attitude towards the affected families has remained indifferent so far, said Sh. Sukhu.
It was quite shocking that the BJP did not support the resolution moved in the Assembly session to declare the Natural Calamity as 'National Disaster" and to provide a special relief package to the State. However, the Chief Minister thanked all those who have voluntarily contributed and gave donations towards the disaster relief fund. In a media query about the strike by Zila Parishad cadre employees, the Chief Minister said that should shut down their strike and return to work and help in restoring relief and rehabilitation works. The state government is working seriously to solve their grievances.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Education Minister, Rohit Thakur, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Sanjay Awasthi, MLA, Rajesh Dharmani, Former Minister, Ram Lal Thakur, former MLA, Bumber Thakur, Babu Ram Gautam, Biru Ram, Sohan Lal Thakur, District Congress President Anjana Dhiman, Congress leaders, Vivek Kumar, Deputy Commissioner. Abid Hussain Sadiq and other dignitaries.