The Cooperative societies were playing vital role in fulfilling the goal of social and economic upliftment of rural areas besides effective implementation of government-sponsored schemes such as public distribution system, distribution of fertilizers and agricultural equipment. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur stated this while addressing the State Level Function of 68th All India Cooperative Week at Mehatpur, in Una Vidhan Sabha area today.
Chief Minister said that it was a matter of pride for the people of the State that the first cooperative society in India was formed in the year 1892 in Panjawar village of Una district. He urged the people of the state to contribute in the cooperative movement with devotion and enthusiasm, so that the State could make a separate identity in the field of cooperatives. He said that ‘Prosperity through Cooperative’ has been the theme of this week. He said that there were 4843 different types of cooperative societies functioning in the State in which 17.03 lakh members have Rs. 490 crores share, Rs. 32788 crores as collateral and Rs. 42863.49 crores as working capital. Jai Ram Thakur also launched Rs. 25.09 crore Integrated Cooperative Development project for Una district approved by National Cooperative Development Corporation.
He said that with the implementation of this integrated cooperative project, 378 different types of cooperative institutions of the district would get financial assistance to strengthen their economy, build infrastructure, build and repair warehouses and increase their working capital. He said that understanding the importance of cooperatives, the Union Government has given top priority to the cooperative. He said that today he has performed inauguration and foundation stones of 45 projects worth Rs. 116 crore. He said that all these projects would give a big boost to the development of the area. Chief Minister said that even during the time of pandemic, the State ensured that the pace of development goes uninterrupted. He said that Rs 450 crore Satellite Centre of PGI, Rs 550 crore Depot of Indian Oil, setting up of Rs. 35 crore modern bus stand at Una, in progress Rs. 20 crore Mother Child Hospital Una, etc. were a few projects dedicated to the people of the area. He said that unfortunately these all were not achievements to the opposition. He accused the previous Government of misleading the people of the State whereas on the other hand the present State Government was committed towards the welfare of the State and its people. He said that schemes such as Himcare, Sahara Yojna, Shagun Yojna has proved boon to the needy and the deserving, but all these seems to be no achievement for the opposition as for them achievements are scams worth cores of Rupees.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the benevolence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ensured that the pace of development goes uninterrupted in the State. He said that since the State was predominantly agricultural State. He said that the State Government opened seven ‘procurement mandis’ in the State for the first time. He said that this has immensely benefitted the farmers of the State. He said that the State Government would sympathetically consider to simplify the section 118 of the H.P. Tenancy and land Reforms Act 1972 for sale and purchase of land by all Primary Agriculture Sewa Cooperative Societies of the State having all Himachali Agriculturist members for their smooth functioning. He announced increase the Retirement Assistance Amount to employees under Employees Welfare Fund PACS service rules from Rs 50,000 to Rs. One lakh after completion of ten years of service. He also visited local Sri Gurudwara Sahib on the occasion of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti. SGPC presented Siropa to the Chief Minister.
Chief Minister also congratulated the people of the State on the auspicious occasion of birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, the first Sikh Guru. He congratulated Nishad Kumar for this unique feat and said that the State Government would provide all possible help to the youth. Chief Minister also honoured Nishad Kumar, Silver medallist from Una in Tokyo Para-Olympics by presented him a cheque of Rs. One crore.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones of 45 developmental projects worth about Rs. 116 crore at Mehatpur Basdehra for Una Vidhan Sabha area of Una district today. Chief Minister performed inaugurations of Rs. 45 lakh tubewell at WSS ward No.10 Mohalla Behli, Una, Rs. 2.50 crore Sewerage Treatment Plant (0.75 MLD) for zone A,B &C, Rs. 52 lakh tubewell at Behdala near brick Klin, Rs. 47 lakh tubewell at Behdala near Bagh, Rs. 48 lakh tubewell in G.P. Jankour, Rs. 45 lakh tubewell in G.P. Malahat (Mohalla Lavana), Rs. 45 lakh tubewell near G.P. Baharolian Khurd, Rs. 48 lakh tubewell at Jalgran, Rs. 25 lakh Junior Engineer Office at Jalgran also inaugurated Rs.3.74 crore EVM and VVPAT building at Una, Rs. 2.58 crore improvement and widening of road from house of Dalip Chand to Shamshan Ghat and Chatara to Banore Mahadev, Rs. 1.46 crore Assistant Engineer office and Mechanic Work Shop at Rampur, Rs. 83 lakh four class rooms in GSSS Sasan, Rs. 64 lakh four class rooms in GHS Ajouli, Rs. 60 lakh additional block for Labour Office Una and Rs. 25 crore Integrated Cooperative Development Project, district Una. Chief Minister performed foundation stones of Rs. 22.48 crore storm water (drainage) system to Una town, Rs. 19.40 crore augmentation of WSS Dehlan, Mahant, Bangarh and Rakkar in tehsil Una, Rs. .07 crore separate water supply village to village Chhatarpur Dahda, Rs. 48 lakh WSS Behdala (near Gokul Dam Colony), Rs. 30 lakh WSS Bangarh Peengwari, Rs. 40 lakh WSS near RTO Barrier Mehatpur, Rs. 30 lakh WSS Jakhera (near Shiv Mandir), Rs. 45 lakh WSS GP Jalgran (near Green Avenue)
Rs. 30 lakh WSS Lalsingi Lower, Rs. 30 lakh WSS Raipur Sahoran (Bare), Rs. 40 lakh WSS Una (near bus stand Una), Rs. 45 lakh tubewell at Bahdala near Sunshine marriage, Rs. 48 lakh tubewell in GP Kuthar Khurd, Rs. 50 lakh tubewell GP Charatgarh (Mohalla Lahar) and Rs. 44 lakh tubewell in G.P. Malahat. Jai Ram Thakur laid foundation stones of Rs. 5.72 crore improvement and widening of Badehar Sasan Udaipur and Lamlehra Pekhubela road, Rs. 3.46 crore improvement and widening of Bangarh Nangran road to Glalore Chowk to Jhakera via Morbar, link road to village Bass Bhabour Sahib upto Punjab Border Bhatoli Shiv Mandir to Raizada Mohalla, Ronoth Mohalla, Rs. 50 lakh extension of existing T-Beam bridge on link road to Charatgarh Upperli from Una Ajouli road, Rs. 1.85 crore 6 type-III quarters for HPPWD employees at Una, Rs. 5.01 crore new OPD Block at Regional Hospital, Una, Rs. 92 lakh PHC Pir-Nigah (Basoli) district Una, Rs. 42 lakh Health Sub Centre building at Sanoli, Rs. 39 lakh Health Sub Centre building at Chattarpur Dhada, Rs. 1.42 crore mini stadium and boundary wall of playground at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Behdala and Rs. 1.37 crore mini outdoor stadium and boundary wall of playground at GMS Jalgran (Tabba).
He also laid foundation stones of Rs. 4.52 crore staff quarters of officers /officials alongwith the residence of District Panchayat Officer Una, Rs. 30 lakh Mukhya Mantri Lok Bhawan Upper Dehlan, Rs. 58 lakh park backside to Amol Kalia Petrol Pump Mohalla Khadpur, Una and Rs. 31 lakh park in Chanderlok colony ward No. 4, Una. Urban Development and Co-operation Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that strengthening of the Cooperative movement was vital for alround development of the State and the country. He said that at present, there are 2605 loan cooperative societies in the state, out of which 2132 primary agricultural cooperatives, 456 savings and loan cooperative societies, 1 State Co-operative bank, 2 district central cooperative banks, 2 agricultural rural banks and 5 cooperative societies. Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Virender Kanwar thanked the Chief Minister for launching the Integrated Cooperative Project for the district. He said that this Project would go a long way in strengthening the economy of the farmers. He said that farmers should form cooperative societies for enhancing their income. He said that the development of the Nation and the State largely depends on the welfare and wellbeing of the farming community. He also thanked the Chief Minister for making provision of procurement of wheat within the State thereby saving the farmers from the middlemen.
Chairman 6th Finance Commission Satpal Singh Satti while welcoming the Chief Minister thanked him for dedicating and laying foundation stones of developmental projects worth crores of Rupees in the area. He said that Rs. 22.48 crore drainage system for Una town, foundation stone of which was laid by the Chief Minister today would meet the long pending demand of the residents of the town. He said that two parks have been dedicated today by the Chief Minister which would add beauty to the town. Registrar Cooperative Societies Rajesh Sharma welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries present on the occasion. He said that the Cooperatives were playing important role in strengthening the rural economy and women empowerment. MLAs Balbir Singh and Rajesh Thakur, Chairman Kangra Central Cooperative Bank Dr Rajiv Bhardwaj, Vice Chairman HIMUDA Praveen Sharma, Chairman HP State Cooperative Bank Khushi Ram Balnahta, former MLA Sushma Sharma, Chairperson Zila Parishad Neelam Kumari, Chairman HP Board of School Education Suresh Kumar Soni, Secretary Cooperative, District BJP President Manohar Lal Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Una Raghav Sharma, SP Arjit Sen were present of the occasion among others.
