Industry thriving under BJP rule: Anurag

Tribune News Service

Solan, April 21

Sitting BJP MP from Hamirpur Anurag Thakur on Sunday said the Central Government, led by Narendra Modi, and the state government, led by Jai Ram Thakur, had acted like a double engine to ensure the development of industries in Himachal.

Addressing a huge gathering at Baddi and Parwanoo, Anurag urged the masses to exercise their franchise to help elect a good government.

Anurag, who is contesting from Hamirpur, said Himachalis had carved a niche for themselves across the nation by not only excelling in various fields, but also as employers through their honesty and perseverance. He said they were playing a key role in the development of the nation. Anurag urged them to ensure their participation in the poll process.

Highlighting various initiatives of the Centre, he said it had reinstated the special category status to the state which had been withdrawn by the previous Congress government.

The BJP MP teared into the Congress for impeding the development of the state, especially Hamirpur.

Anurag said the Congress government’s failure to provide land for a medical college at Hamirpur clearly reflected its anti-development mindset. He said the BJP government, on the other hand, initiated work on the project barely five months after coming to power in the state. Similarly, land for AIIMS that was sanctioned in 2014 could not be approved till 2017. The stone-laying ceremony of a Central university at Dehra was put on hold for five years due to the same reason. The Congress even stopped sportsmen from using the Dharamsala-based stadium and they had to move the court for the same, he alleged.

Anurag elaborated on an increase in Central grants under the 14th Finance Commission and said from Rs 11,131 crore, it had increased to Rs 28,225 crore, which was commendable.

He claimed that the Central grants received by the state under the BJP regime had registered a quantum leap and it had received additional Rs 10,500 crore as financial assistance.

The MP urged the masses to vote for the BJP to ensure speedy development of the state as well as the nation and shun the Congress “which impeded development and failed to watch the interest of the common man”. MLAs Paramjeet Singh, Virender Kanwar, Subhash Thakur and BJP district president KL Thakur were present.