Note ban black chapter in history: CM

Tribune News Service

Solan, February 21

Terming the demonetisation policy introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “black chapter” in the history of the country, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said today that it was a “big jolt to the economy” as people had been restricted from withdrawing their own money.

He said the farmers and the horticulturist of the state were the worst sufferers. The CM was addressing a public meeting at Khari Ka Khala in the Bikram Bag area of the Nahan assembly constituency on the second day of his visit to the Sirmaur district today.

He said necessary arrangements and effective steps should have been taken before introducing this policy to safeguard the interest of farmers, small traders and other sections of society.

Earlier, the CM laid the foundation stone of a bridge over Khari Ka Khala which would be constructed at a cost of Rs 3.64 crore in the Nahan Assembly constituency.

He announced the opening of an ayurveda dispensary for Bhedon which was located in the remote corner bordering Haryana. He also announced upgrade of Government Middle School, Dhakwala-Khairwala to High School, three borewells at Simbalwala, Khairwala and village Khadi and metalling of road from Devni-Lal Pipal for which an amount of Rs 16 lakh has been approved. He also announced footbridges at Bikram Bag-Mandherva and at Dhaduwala.

He said the Khajurna-Bikram Bag-Kala Amb via Suketi-Trilokpur road of 21 km had been approved by NABARD. He directed the officials to ensure completion of the bridge over the Markanda river within a year.

He also listed the development projects completed and those which were in various stages of being completion during the last four years.

The CM also laid the foundation stones of slew of development projects, including seven bridges, which would be constructed at a cost of Rs 29.08 crore.

He also laid the foundation stone of an indoor stadium at Nahan which would be constructed at a cost of Rs 6.60 crore, a bridge at Khadri over the Markanda river worth Rs 9.26 crore and bridge over Khari Ka Khala worth Rs 3.64 crore. He also laid the foundation stone of a bridge at Bhudarion which would be constructed at a cost of Rs 2.47 crore, bridge over the Roon river at Palio worth Rs 3.83 crore, bridge over the Markanda river at Dhimki worth Rs 3.15 crore, bridge over Konthri Khala at Rampur worth Rs 3.58 crore, bridge over Mandi Khala worth Rs 3.15 crore and pucca road from Doinwala to Khairi village.

Earlier, Ajay Bahadur Singh, chairman, HIMFED, welcomed the CM and said the area was “ignored by the sitting MLA and the previous BJP governments”.

He urged the CM to approve various development projects for the area.

Chief Parliamentary Secretary Vinay Kumar, MLA Kirnesh Jung, HIMFED chairman Ajay Bahadur, Employment Generation and Resource Mobilisation chairman Harshvardhan Chauhan were among those present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh while addressing a public meeting at Rampur Bharapur in Paonta Sahib late this evening said some politicians played divisive politics when polls were nearing by trying to divide the people on religion, caste and region basis. He said this was detrimental for the state.

He added that many others try to lure people by offering monetary benefits but one should refrain from such divisive tactics and such politicians were the most worthless politicians.

He also laid the foundation stone of a bridge over Konthri Khala at Rampur which would be completed at a cost of Rs 3.58 crore.

He said since the area was close to Paonta Sahib, it had been economically strengthened. He said it was necessary to channelise seasonal rivulets of Paonta Sahib and the Nahan area to protect the fertile land from wearing away in floods. He said financial provision for the construction of various bridges in the area had been made and foundation stone of bridges worth Rs 29.10 crore had been laid today.

Earlier, the Chief Minister also addressed a public meeting at Palliyon in the interior area of the Nahan Assembly constituency.