Only BJP govts ensure growth across sectors: Modi in Mandi
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for multiple development projects worth ₹11,000 crore in the Mandi district on Monday.
In his address following the event, PM Modi praised the state’s efforts against the coronavirus pandemic and how the the development work remain unaffected. “Today, the Himachal Pradesh government has completed four years. During its tenure, the government fought against Covid-19 and also made sure that development works in the state do not stop,” he said at the public meeting.
“There are two development models in the State. One is ‘Sabka saath, Sabka vikas & Sabka vishwas’. The other model is ‘Khud ka swarth, parivaar ka swarth’. Himachal Pradesh government is working on the first model and has implemented many development programmes in the state,” he also said.
Projects that were inaugurated include the 111 MW SawraKuddu Hydro Power Project, which has been built at a cost of around ₹2,080 crore. It will lead to the generation of over 380 million units of electricity per year and help the state earn revenue worth over ₹120 crore annually, officials have said.
He will also laid the foundation for the Renukaji Dam project, which was lying pending for around three decades until now.
Prior to the event, PM Modi presided over the second ground-breaking ceremony of the Himachal Pradesh global investors’ meet. The meet is expected to give a boost to investment in the region through the start of projects worth around ₹28,000 crore, according to a statement by the Prime Minister’s office.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by state chief minister Jai Ram Thakur and other senior officials at the event.
In the chilly December air, PM Modi wore a traditional Himachali cap with multi-coloured embroidery, along with a matching shawl.
The shawl added colour to the Prime Minister’s white-and-grey outfit, with its orange, pink and green embroidery, crafted in beautiful, ethnic designs.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the PM laid the foundation stone of the Renukaji Dam project, lying pending for around three decades. Six states viz Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Delhi were brought together by the Centre for making the project possible, stated the press release.
“The 40 MW project will be built at a cost of around ₹7000 crore. It will prove to be immensely beneficial for Delhi, which will be able to receive around 500 million cubic metre water supply per year,” said the official statement.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the Luhri Stage 1 Hydro Power Project. The 210 MW project will be built at a cost of over ₹1800 crore. It will lead to the generation of over 750 million units of electricity per year. The modern and dependable grid support will prove beneficial to the surrounding states of the region as well.
The foundation stone of the Dhaulasidh Hydro Power Project was also laid by PM Modi on Monday.
“This will be the first hydropower project of Hamirpur district. The 66 MW project will be built at a cost of over ₹680 crore. It will lead to the generation of over 300 million units of electricity per year,” said the release.
Modi also backed the central government’s decision to increase the age of marriage of daughters from 18 to 21 saying that it will lead to daughters getting time to make their career.
“We have decided daughters will be allowed to marry at the same age sons are allowed to. With 21 years of age for marriage of daughters, they will get full time to study and will also be able to make their career,’ said PM Modi.
A bill that was introduced in Lok Sabha in the winter session to increase the age of marriage for women to 21 years across all religions has been sent to a parliamentary committee for scrutiny.
Modi said that the government is working on plastic waste management but tourists visiting Himachal also have a huge responsibility in keeping it clean.
“Our government is alert about the damage caused to the mountains due to plastic. Tourists also have a huge responsibility in keeping Himachal clean, free of plastic and other waste,” said PM Modi.
“Along with the nationwide campaign against single-use plastic, our government is also working on plastic waste management. Plastic not thrown in proper places ends up going into rivers, damaging the rivers and Himachal. We need to work on stopping this,” he added.