Congress misused temple funds, claims Thakur

Tribune News Service

Mandi, July 6

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Friday alleged that the previous government misused funds collected as offerings at major temples in the state.

“Now when the present government has taken a decision to use 15 per cent of the offerings for the construction and maintenance of gau sadans, the same leaders are making a hue and cry,” he said.

He said Opposition leaders were claiming that all the development projects initiated by the present government were their dream.

“If so then what stopped them from implementing these schemes,” he said, adding that the present government did not believe in dreaming but in taking action.

The Chief Minister was on Friday in the Karsog Assembly segment of Mandi district to inaugurate a few development projects. He announced a polytechnic college for Karsog.

Addressing the gathering, he said Tattapani would be developed as a major religious and tourist destination. He said the state had succeeded in getting Rs 1,900 crore for tourism, Rs 1,680 crore for horticulture and Rs 800 crore for irrigation and public health from the Union Government for the welfare of the state.

He announced that a 100-bedded hospital at Karsog would be upgraded to 150 and setting up of 10-bedded ayurvedic hospital at Mamel. He announced Rs 1 crore for a bus stand at Karsog, Rs 30 lakh for roads in Karsog, IPH sub-division at Kotlu, health sub-centre at Kau, starting of science classes at SSS, Mahunag, commerce classes at Pangna, upgrade of High School, Lala, to senior secondary school and upgrade of Middle School, Kalam. He also announced Rs 5 lakh each for Mamel and Kamaksha temples and Rs 5 lakh for Press Club, Karsog.

He laid foundation stones of additional accommodation building of government degree college, Karsog, to be constructed at a cost of Rs 40.72 lakh, mini secretariat building, Karsog, to be constructed at a cost of Rs 14.86 crore and channelisation of Imla/Bimla scheme to be completed by spending Rs 1.38 crore. He also opened a fire post at Karsog. He dedicated the science lab of Senior Secondary School, Churag, constructed at a cost of Rs 67.48 lakh. He also announced Rs 45-crore water scheme for the Karsog area. The Karsog MLA urged the Chief Minister for providing adequate doctors and health staff at the civil hospital there.