Himachal Progressed Tremendously in 44 years: CM

Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh), Jan 25 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh gave credit to the people for the achievements of the northern Indian hill state that Sunday celebrated its 45nd statehood day.

It was on this day in 1971 that Himachal Pradesh was conferred the status of a full state - the 18th in the country.

The state has progressed tremendously in the past 44 years and the credit goes to the people. The successive Congress governments also played a pivotal role in the development front, the chief minister said at a function in this town.

He said the people would remain indebted to late prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru for the state's formation and Indira Gandhi for granting statehood status.

Remembering the first chief minister, late Y.S. Parmar, Virbhadra Singh said he played a significant role in the formation of the state and initiated all possible measures to make it self-sufficient.

"It is my pleasure that I am serving the people of the state for more than 19 years as chief minister in my political career of five decades," he said.

Referring to the problems of the Govind Sagar Dam and Pong Dam oustees, the chief minister said necessary steps have been taken for the rehabilitation of people.

He said the land would be registered in the names of the dam oustees wherever they were settled at present.

The chief minister also announced the allotment of plots for all the left-out Bhakra dam oustees within four months.

He honoured national and international players belonging to the state.

A cash prize of Rs.10 lakh was given to Vijay Kumar for winning silver in shooting in the Asian Games in South Korea.

Earlier, Virbhadra Singh unfurled the national flag and took the salute from the marching contingents.