DW BUREAU / Kangra Lashing out at the previous government, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while addressing a largely attended public meeting at Nagrota Bagwan said that it remained in office for many years but ignored welfare and progress of especially women, poor and downtrodden. Chief Minister was here today at Nagrota Bagwan in district Kangra to inaugurate and lay foundation stones of 55 projects worth Rs. 335 crore and to preside over the function to commemorate the celebration of 75 years of formation of Himachal Pradesh. These included the inauguration of major projects of rural piped water supply scheme for cluster of 6 panchayats under Nagrota Bagwan block completed at a cost of Rs. 15.32 crore, Rs. 5.45 crore flow irrigation scheme for Pathiyar panchayat, Rs. 6.80 crore electrical engineering block in Government Rajiv Gandhi Engineering College Nagrota Bagwan, Rs. 3.89 crore bridge over Bathu Khud, Rs. 4.80 crore bridge over Naked khud, Rs. 51 crore link road Baroh Jandrah to Lagdu Khundian, Rs. 3.69 crore link road Sipanpat to Kharat Kahas, Rs. 27 crore centre of excellence in mental health in Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College Tanda, Rs. 13.71 crore school of nursing building in Dr. RP Government Medical College Tanda, Rs. 12.50 crore girls hostel in Dr. RP Government Medical College Tanda, Rs. 7.55 crore boys hostel in Dr. RP Government Medical College Tanda, Rs. 7.45 crore PG girls hostel in Dr. RP Government Medical College Tanda. He also inaugurated reconstruction of Rs. 24.85 crore double lane road (NH 303) Massal to Sarotari portion and Rs. 3.50 crore girls hostel in B. Pharmacy college. Chief Minister also laid foundation stones of Rs. 16.96 crore source strengthening of water supply scheme for various villages in Nagrota Bagwan tehsil, Rs. 34.70 crore improvement and restructuring of old water supply scheme Malnoo-Nera-Thamba-Baroh and Toru in Baroh tehsil, Rs. 3.27 crore lift water supply scheme Luhunu-Mangrela, Rs. 4.23 crore augmentation and improvement of distribution system of water supply scheme Sunehar-Mundla-Sadarpur, Rajiana-Thanpuri, Rs. 7.80 crore upgradation of existing water supply scheme of Dr. RP Government Medical College Tanda, Rs. 5.67 crore construction of link road from Malan to Gujrehra, Rs. 12.55 crore construction of type-V quarter in Dr. RP Government Medical College Tanda and Rs. 3.70 crore construction of type-IV quarter in Dr. RP Government Medical College Tanda. "Himachal Pradesh has made significant development in various sectors since its formation in 1948. The state has also acquired remarkable progress especially in road connectivity, education, health, power, rural development, tourism, agriculture and horticulture sectors. There were only 88 health institutions in1948 and now the number has touched the figure of 4320 health institutions. Apart from cent percent electrification of villages across the state, the state has a road network of 39354 kilometres which has become possible due to Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna. Major credit goes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who started this ambitious Yojna, he said. Jai Ram Thakur said the present State Government has also completed over four years and eight months in office and the government has ensured a balanced and all-round development of the State and welfare of poor and needy class. (editor@dailyworld.in)