PM Narendra Modi addresses 'Jan Aabhar Rally' at Dharamshala

State Govt committed to take Himachal on new heights: CM

Dhsaramshala, December 27, 2018: Prime Minister Narendra Modi graced the completion of one year in office of the present state government by addressing a ‘Jan Aabhar Rally’ at Police Ground, Dharamshala today. Thousands of people from every nook and corner of the state participated in the rally.

While addressing the people on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that whenever he visits Himachal Pradesh, he feel that he has visited his own home, such is the bonding he shares with the State. He remembered his days when he visited almost the entire Himachal as the BJP incharge of the state. PM Modi praised local Kangra food cuisines and madra.

PM Modi said, "I congratulate Jai Ram ji and his team for so many initiatives that have been taken by this government in last one year.

PM Modi also said that infrastructure projects worth Rs 26thosand crore are going on various corners of the state. "We have changed the coaches of Kalka-Shimla railway and have designed these with transparent sheets so that travellers can feel the nature's beauty. In transformation of Himachal, tourism and transportation are extremely vital. India is becoming a tourist attraction for the world. In 2013, India received 70 lakh foreign tourists. In 2017, the number increased to 1 crore. In 2013, tourists spent 18 billion dollars. In 2017, it increased to 27 billion dollars. This means all this money also reaches small and medium households. E-visa that we started has also increased tourism in the country."

PM added that at the cost of rs 15000 crore four major rail projects are going on in Himachal. These are Nagal –Talewara, Chandigarth –Baddi, Bhanupalli-Mandi and Una –Hamirpur.

PM Modi said "Himachal is a land of Gods and Goddesses. Every village here is God's own village. Along with being 'dev-bhoomi', Himachal also belongs to the brave-hearted people. The Jai Ram Thakur government in Himachal Pradesh has worked towards reaching people in villages."

PM Modi said "During the previous government, Himachal used to get 21 thousand crore from centre , but when BJP govt came to power, I was given a chance to serve you all, Himachal is now being given 72 thousand crore rupees. It has only become possible because the Government of India believes that each and every penny from this penny will be spent by HP govt judiciously in state's development."

The Prime Minister inaugurated exhibition put up on the occasion and envisaged keen interest in it. He also interacted with beneficiaries of various welfare schemes of the state government and released a Coffee Table Book brought out by the Information and Public Relations Department on one year's achievements of the state government. A documentary on achievements of the government produced by the IPR Department was also screened on the occasion.

Earlier, on his arrival, the Prime Minister was accorded warm welcome by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, other senior leaders and officers of the state government.

The Chief Minister honoured the Prime Minister by presenting a shawl, Himachali cap and memento.

While welcoming the Prime Minister to the State, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that it was blessed and honoured to have gracious presence of our beloved Prime Minister. It was due to his benevolence and support that one year's tenure of the government has been full of achievements and accomplishments. He said that every area of the State and every section of the society have been benefited by the welfare and developmental oriented policies and programmes.

He said that very first decision of the state government was aimed at welfare of the senior citizens by lowering the age limit for getting pension from 80 to 70 years, benefitting over 1.30 lakh persons. In order to have first hand information about the developmental needs and aspiration of the people of the State, he has visited 63 assembly constituencies of the state out of total 68 during this short period of one year.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said, " I thank PM as in the last one year Himachal received 9,000 crores grant from the union government. In 2014, all four Lok Sabha seats were won by BJP, I will urge everybody that we again ensure that all four seats of Himachal Pradesh are won by BJP in 2019."