DW BUREAU / Shimla Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur inaugurated and laid foundation stones of 21 developmental projects worth Rs. 202.14 crore at Manali for Manali Vidhan Sabha area of Kullu district today. While addressing the function to commemorate the Pragatisheel Himachal: Sathapna Ke 75 Varsh at Haripur in Manali Vidhan Sabha area, the Chief Minister said that the role of every people of Himachal Pradesh has been immense as it was their hardwork, honesty and contribution in making Himachal Pradesh one of the most progressive States of the country. He said that these 75 events being organized throughout the State were aimed at thanking every contributor of the State to make Himachal Pradesh a model State of the country. He said that every employee, labourer, farmer, technician, doctor, teacher, entrepreneur have contributed to the development of Himachal Pradesh. He announced opening of Tehsil at Nagar, new Jal Shakti vibhag sub division at Nagar, construction of Auditorium at Degree College Haripur and new patwar circle at Kardsu. Jai Ram Thakur said that the whole world has to face a challenging task of facing and coming out from the covid-19 pandemic. He said that the biggest credit of this goes to the able leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who not only took a timely decision to face this pandemic, but also motivated the scientists to develop indigenous vaccine. He said that not only this, the biggest vaccination campaign of the world was launched by the Prime Minister and over 220 crore free vaccine doses have been administered till date. Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh has made rapid strides in various sectors. He said that at the time of formation of the State, there were only four districts whereas today there were 12 districts. He said that in the year 1948, the literacy rate of the State was 4.8 per cent which has gone upto 83 percent. He said that there were only 228 kms roads in the State in 1948, whereas today there were nearly 40,000 kms roads connecting every nook and corner of the State. He said that major credit of this goes to the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who started PMGSY with an amount Rs. 60000 crore, as about 20,000 kms roads in the State were constructed under the PMGSY. Jai Ram Thakur said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares special bonding with the State and its people. He said that during the last about five years, the Prime Minister has visited the State about seven times, and was visiting the State again of 5th of this month. He said that the whole nation was standing rock solid behind the BJP and people have completely lost faith in Congress. He said that several senior Congress leaders were leaving the party as they knew that the party was a sinking ship. He said that many Congress leaders of the State have also joined the BJP as they know that BJP would again form Government in the State. The Chief Minister said that 50 per cent concession has been provided in bus fare to women passengers and 125 units free power to domestic consumers. He said that the Congress leaders were now accusing the Government for providing freebees to the people. He said that on the other hand the Congress leaders were now claiming that they would provide 300 units free power to the people of the State on coming to power. The Chief Minister inaugurated Rs 1.58 crore 30.48 meter long bridge over Galang Nallah on Pachhalihar-Neri-Kathi Kukari road, Rs. 2.09 crore 33.50 meter long span bridge over Shanag Nallah from Manalsu bridge to Palchan road. (editor@dailyworld.in)