Himachal CM inaugurates phase 2 of Rs 25-cr coop project in Una

Our Correspondent

UNA, NOVEMBER 19

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today formally launched the second phase of the Integrated Cooperative Development Project (ICDP) for Una district. The National Cooperative Development Corporation has sanctioned Rs 25 crore for the second phase.

Jai Ram unveiled the plaques of 48 development works during a common stone-laying ceremony at Mehatpur Basdehra Nagar panchayat in the Una Assembly segment.

Govt looking for suitable job for Nishad: Thakur

• The Chief Minister presented a cheque for Rs1 crore to Tokyo Paralympic gold medallist in high jump Nishad Kumar, who hails from Amb in Una district.
• The government is looking for an appropriate job for him.

Besides the ICDP, other major projects include a rainwater drainage scheme for Una city at a cost of Rs 22.4 crore and a sewerage for Mehatpur-Basdehra nagar panchayat on which a Rs 12 crore would be spent.

Addressing a public gathering at the same venue, the Chief Minister said in the past four years, the actual working tenure of the state government should be considered two years since the remaining time was spoiled by the Covid pandemic. However, he said even during those difficult times, his government stood by the people.

Countering the Opposition’s allegations of non-performance, the Chief Minister said during the 50 years of Congress rule in the state, there were only two oxygen plants and 50 ventilators, of which half were non-functional. Today, he said the state has 32 oxygen plants and 900 ventilators. He spelt out a list of major works done during his tenure as Chief Minister, adding that his government had worked honestly for all sections of the society.

Thakur vowed to ensure the BJP’s victory in the forthcoming Assembly elections. Taking on the Opposition, he said that the Congress had at least one candidate in every district for the post of the Chief Minister. “It is a divided lot,” he added.

Thakur, who was in Una to preside over the closing function of the Cooperative Week celebrations organized at Mehatpur-Basdehra, said the first cooperative society in the country was registered in 1892 in Panjawar village of Una district where a group of farmers had organized themselves to protect their agriculture land from the floods in Swan river.

Thakur said that at present, 4,847 cooperative societies were functioning in the state, having a total membership of over 17 lakhs and a share capital of Rs 490 crores. The working capital of these societies was 42,863 crores, he said, which was not trivial for a small state like Himachal Pradesh. He, however, said there was a lot of scope for improvement in the cooperative sector.

Cooperatives and Education minister Suresh Bhardwaj, Agriculture minister Virender Kanwar, chairman of the State Finance Commission Satpal Singh Satti, HIMUDA vice chairman Parveen Sharma, DC Raghav Sharma and SP Arijit Sen Thakur were also present.