CM inaugurates 220 KV HPPTCL Sub-Station at Bhoktu Lays foundation stone of Lippa-Asrang Link Road

Shimla, July 23, 2017: The people of Jhangi and Lippa should amicably manage the dispute on sharing the water of Jhangi-I, Kuhl (channel). The villagers of Lippa are adamant of not allowing the water channel, meant for irrigational purpose to go through their land towards Jhangi and the entire population of Jhangi was deprived of this facility. The people of both the villages should solve the dispute amicably in a judicious manner.

This was stated by Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh while addressing simultaneous public meetings at Lippa in district Kinnaur today, after laying foundation stone of second stage (metalling) of Lippa-Asrang Link Road to cost Rs. 6.20 crore.

"I want all the areas to be equally benefitted by equitable development, said the Chief Minister adding that he believes that people of the state should get the benefits of development works equally. We should help each other and not only think of self interests", he said.

The Chief Minister directed for channelizing of Kashang Channel which was now completed so that water could reach every field. He said that he was happy that the Rs. 12 crore Kashang channel was now complete and the water could be easily available for Rarang and nearby villages for irrigational purpose. Small Channels should be made to take water to fields, however, if possible the people should adopt drip irrigation system. He said that the government was providing subsidy for drip irrigation sprinklers as well.

He said that the concerned officers should discuss the issues pertaining to development with the people before initiating the planning process. The planning should be initiated from the field, he said. The officers should go to villages and remote areas to discuss the grievances with the people and then prepare plans for development. The Chief Minister said that the base of development should be started at the grass root level rather than preparing plans with huge costing while sitting in offices without visiting the field. "We need to follow inverted pyramid formula in case of development of rural, far flung and remote areas", he said.

The Chief Minister said that it was only for two years (2016-2018) that the Forest Clearance Act (FCA) had been suspended so that the people could be provided ‘Nautod’ in tribal areas. “I am personally monitoring the process of distribution of Nautod and hereby direct the administration that the people should not only be distributed Nautod, but also their names should be registered in revenue records”, he said. He directed the administration to speed up the process.

He also addressed a public gathering at Akpa and Jhangi, and was accorded warm welcome en-route Lippa, Spillo, and Reckong-Peo.

The Chief Minister stressed upon adoption of drip-Irrigation scheme for irrigation purpose. He said that small water channels diverted to bring water to the fields sometimes takes away the portion of soil with it thereby causing erosions. The drip irrigation scheme is more suitable in the areas having loose and sandy soil, he said.

Shri Virbhadra Singh also exhorted the people to vote for Congress candidate in ensuing assembly elections. He said that it was only congress which could provide development to the state through welfare of people. The people should not fall prey to the propaganda of BJP and their false promises.

He said that there was hardly any village in district kinnaur which was not connected to road and now we need to do metalling of these roads. He directed the PWD authorities to maintain and refurbish the existing roads as well.

The Chief Minister inaugurated 66 KV Sub-Station at Akpa completed with a cost of Rs. 8.34 crore. With the commissioning of this station, 37,000 people of 54 villages of upper Kinnaur and Spiti district would be benefited.

He also announced laying of foundation stone of 66KV electric sub-station at Pooh to cost Rs.23 crore. The sub-station at Pooh when fully commissioned would benefit a population of 17 thousand of 42 villages of 25 panchayats of Pooh, and Spiti.

"Though delayed a bit, but I want that the process of standing/erecting poles and laying electric cables to Kaza and Pin valley would be completed soon so that the long pending demand of people for uninterrupted power supply could be met and the low voltage problem could be solved", he said.

He also laid foundation stone of renovation of Flow Irrigation Scheme Yatang-kharga in Gram Panchayat Spillow to cost 2.76 crore.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated Milk Processing Plant at Reckong Peo completed with an outlay of Rs. 1.50 crore. The State co-operative Milk producers Federation run the plant. The total milk producers beneficiaries of these societies are 42000. The plant has a capacity of 5000 litres per day and there are 18 societies formed collecting milk from as far as Chango and Shalkhar. Managerial grant of Rs 18000 per village diary cooperative society has been given to these 18 societies.

The Chief Minister inaugurated 220 KV sub-station of HP Power Transmission Corporation Limited at Bhoktu completed with a cost of Rs.45 crore and laid foundation stone of Sewerage System for Kothi village to cost Rs. 2.91 crore.

Later in the evening, he laid foundation stone of Police Station building Sangla with an outlay of Rs. 1.11 crore.

Deputy Speaker Vidhan Sabha Shri Jagat Singh Negi, welcomed and honoured the Chief Minister and other dignitaries present on the occasion. He urged that even the government employees having less than 20 Bighas of land should be given Nautod and listed the developments of the area. He gave a detailed account of different schemes of IPH, PWD, education and Health in Kinnaur.

President DCC Kinnaur Shri Umesh Negi, President BCC Pooh Shri Daya Krishan Negi, Member Tribal Advisory Committee Shri Nirmal Singh Negi, Chairman KINFED Shri Chandergopal, Member TAC Shri Prem Kumar, President Kinnaur Youth Congress Shri Pratap Negi, Congressmen, Acharaya Roshan Lal Negi, Deputy Commissioner Shri N.K. Lath, Managing Director HPSEBL Shri P.C.Negi, Chief Engineer Shri Ashok Chauhan were present on the occasion amongst others.