DW BUREAU / shimla Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur performed inaugurations and foundation stones of 19 developmental projects worth about Rs. 82 crore in Theog Vidhan Sabha Constituency of Shimla district today. While addressing a mammoth gathering at Potato ground at Theog, the Chief Minister announced upgradation of 150 bedded Civil Hospital, Theog to 200 bedded hospital, opening of sub tehsils at Matiyana and Baragaon, upgradation of Primary Health Centre Matiyana to Community Health Centre, Rs. 25 lakh for beautification of Nehru Ground (Potato ground. He announced the Prem Ghat Chowk would be named as Atal Chowk as mark of respect to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and also announced State level status to the Rehali Mela Theog. He also announced the upgradation of four schools of the area besides starting science classes in one Government Senior Secondary School of the area. He also announced Rs. 2 lakh to the Mela committee for successful organization of this fair. Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a new concept to celebrate the 75 years of Independence in a befitting manner as Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. He said that the State Government has also decided to celebrate 75 years of existence of Himachal Pradesh by organizing 75 events throughout the State. He said that these events would showcase the glorious developmental journey of Himachal Pradesh during the last 75 years. He said that every Chief Minister of the State has made his contribution in development and progress of the State, but the biggest contribution was of every hard working and honest Himachali. While paying rich tributes to the former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary, the Chief Minister said that Atal ji has great love and affection towards the people of the State and always considered Himachal Pradesh his second home. He said that despite his busy schedule, Atal Bihari Vajpayee used to regularly visit the State. He said that Theog has also made a considerable contribution in the independence of the country. He said that Theog was also gradually emerging as a tourist destination as several hotels and home stays have come up in the area. Jai Ram Thakur said that Himachal Pradesh during these 75 years have made unparalleled progress in all spheres of development. He said that the credit of this goes to the hardworking and dedicated people of the State, besides able leadership provided in the State from time to time. He said that at the time of formation of the State, there were only four districts, whereas today the State has 12 districts. He said that the literacy rate of the State in 1948 was 4.8 percent, whereas today the literacy rate of the State is over 83 percent. He said that the hilly States like Himachal Pradesh, the roads were lifelines for development and the successive Governments of the State laid special focus for construction of the roads. He said that Rs. 60,000 crore Pradhan Manti Gram Sadak Yojna started by the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and nearly 51 percent roads were constructed under this scheme. (editor@dailyworld.in)