DW BUREAU / shimla Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, while presiding over the 'Pragatisheel Himachal: Sathapna Ke 75 Varsh' celebrations to commemorate 75 years of existence of Himachal Pradesh, inaugurated and laid foundation stones of nine developmental projects worth Rs. 24.66 crore in Rampur Bushahr Assembly Constituency of Shimla district today. While addressing a mammoth public meeting at Rampur Bushahr, the Chief Minister said that the people of Rampur have a special place in his heart. He said that whenever he visits the area, people of Rampur have always accorded him rousing welcome. He sought the support of people of Rampur Bushahr Assembly Constituency in coming general assembly elections by giving their mandate in favour of BJP candidate. He said that the Nation was celebrating 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' to celebrate 75 years of Independence and Himachal Pradesh on the other hand was also celebrating 75 years of its existence. He said that these 75 years have been witness to an eventful developmental journey of the State. Every citizen of Himachal Pradesh has made his/her contribution in this developmental voyage of the State. He said that the contributions of every Chief Minister of the State, be it Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, Ram Lal Thakur, Shanta Kumar, Virbhadra Singh and Prem Kumar Dhumal, have remained immense in making this State one of the most developed State of the country. Decision of the State Government to organize 75 events was aimed at remembering the contributions of all the leaders and people of the State. He said that it was unfortunate that initiative of the Government was not going well with some Congress leaders. While tracing out the developmental history of the State, Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh has made unprecedented development in all spheres. In the year 1948 the per capita income in the State was only Rs. 240 which has now increased to Rs. 2,01,873 and literacy rate of the State has gone upto 83 percent which was 4.8 percent in 1948. The agricultural production in the State has increased from 954 metric tonnes to 1500 metric tonnes and foodgrains production in 1948 was 1.99 lakh MT which has increased to 15.14 lakh MT, he added. Jai Ram Thakur said that the State had witnessed unprecedented development during the last about five years of the present State Government. He said that schemes such as HIMCARE, Sahara Yojna, Grihini Suvidha Yojna, Mukhya Mantri Swavlamban Yojna, Shagun Yojna etc. have provided a helping hand to every household in need. The present Government has worked with a motto 'Jahan Gareeb Vahan Sarkar'. He said that an amount of Rs. 1300 crore was being spent on providing social security pension to the needy. He himself was from a poor family, and understands the needs and aspirations of the common man. He said that it was strange that the leaders who remained at the helm of affairs for several years in the State, did not think of starting such welfare schemes. (editor@dailyworld.in)