Narendra Modi in Bilaspur highlights: PM says AIIMS in Himachal will have many benefits

PM Modi in Bilaspur highlights:

2.25 pm: PM Modi has concluded his speech.

2.18 pm: “Road and electricity can change the fate of Himachal. If there is non-stop power supply in the state, tourists would want to stay here. The more they stay, the more they will spend,” Modi said before talking on Pradhan Mantri Saubhagya Yojna, which aims to provide power to all homes. “Out of around 25 crore families, there are at least 4 crore families who do not have electricity in their homes. Don’t these people deserve electricity,” he asked the crowd. “These four crore families would get free power connection after which they can pay for the prepaid connection like they do for their mobile phones.”

2.17 pm: Taking a dig at the Congress government in state, PM Modi said it was a “jamaanati sarkar” in the state. BJP has constantly been focusing on the CM, who is facing a CBI probe in a disproportionate assets case.

2.15 pm: PM Modi said the work done by the people of Himachal in terms of cleanliness was commendable. He also asked people to continue their work in terms of swachhta as it would attract more tourism for the state.

2.10 pm: “I thank the media for the coverage of the surgical strike anniversary,” Modi said. “It has boosted the strength and morales of the army.”

2.05 pm: PM Modi brings up the One Rank One Pension issue. “I had announced during the Mandi rally that we will give one rank one pension. We have disbursed 3 out of 4 installments that has benefitted ex-servicemen. Close to Rs 8,500 crore has been distributed,” he said.

2.01 pm: “IIIT does not just mean setting up of a college. It is a stepping stone towards a more modern Himachal,” Modi said.

With the Shilanyas of #IIIT, we are laying the foundations of a futuristic Himachal Pradesh. This will benefit the people of the state: PM pic.twitter.com/OsIKQ9cI4V

— BJP LIVE (@BJPLive) October 3, 2017

1.57 pm: Setting up a hospital will also generate a lot of employment for people of the state, PM Modi said.

1.52 pm: PM Modi said coming of AIIMS to HP has wide ranging benefits for people. Since it is also a big tourist destination, people from all corners travel to Himachal. Sometimes accidents happen and setting up of AIIMS will help in treating the wounded and critically injured, he said. “To boost tourism in Himachal, this hospital is very necessary,” PM said amid chants of Modi zindabad and Jai Shri Ram.

1.50 pm: “There have been families who have sent their children to serve in the army for generations,” he said amid cheers.

1.45 pm: “Whenever we talk of agricultural revolution anywhere in the country, we always remember Bilaspur’s sacrifice,” said Modi.

1.42 pm: PM Modi addresses the rally in Bilaspur.

1.40 pm: Dhumal also recalled the plight of the Bhakra-Nangal Dam oustees.

1.36 pm: “This rally is here to thank PM Narendra Modi for his efforts in providing better healthcare facilities for the people here,” Dhumal said while talking about the three projects whose foundation was laid today. “Jo Congress ne cheena humse, special category state ka status, woh aapne dia. Isse state ko labh hoga (You reinstated the special category status for Himachal which had been snatched by Congress. The state will be benefitted with this reinstation),” he added.

1.33 pm: Former chief minister of Himachal Pradesh Prem Kumar Dhumal addresses the rally.

1.30 pm: Veteran BJP leader Shanta Kumar said PM Modi fulfilled his dreams of Himachal’s development.

1.25 pm: Union Health Minister JP Nadda said “AIIMS was a dream which PM Modi turned as history.” He also spoke about the pain of the Bhakra-Nangal dam oustees. “Modi tried to wipe out tears of bhakra dam oustees,” he said adding that it was “time to send Congress government packing for state’s faster development.”

1.12 pm: CM Virbhadra Singh also gifted a thanka painting to PM Narendra Modi.

Himachal CM gifting a shawl to the PM

1.00 pm: Himachal CM Virbhadra Singh honours PM Modi with Himachali cap at the venue of the official function.

PM Modi lays the foundation of AIIMS Bilaspur, IIIT UNA & inaugurates SAIL at Kangra. LIVE at https://t.co/krdG6LOUbc #Modi4Himachal pic.twitter.com/EaXzZbQz1d

— BJP (@BJP4India) October 3, 2017

12.56 pm: PM Modi laid the foundation stone of AIIMS in Bilaspur, IIIT (Una) and Steel Processing Plant in Kangra district .

12.38 pm: PM Modi reached Bilaspur. He was received by CM Virbhadra Singh, Union Health Minister J P Nadda, Union Ministers Birender Singh, Satyapal Singh, Vishnu Deo Sai and Thawar Chand Gehlot and MP Shanta Kumar, Anurag Thakur, state BJP president Satpal Satti and Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Dev Vrat.

12.11 pm: PM Modi leaves for Bilaspur.

11.45 am: BJP supporters from three assembly constituencies of Bilaspur will be attending the rally. The constituencies have a large population of those displaced by the Bhakra-Nangal dam. They will be ferried in 60 boats to reach the rally.

Union Health Minister J P Nadda inspecting the preparations for the rally of PM Narendra Modi at Bilaspur on Monday. (Express Photo by Pradeep Kumar)

11.40 am: Modi will land at HPCA’s Cricket Stadium, a brain child of Anurag Thakur, at 12.15 pm and head to the Indoor Sports complex where he will also be joined by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, state Governor Achraya Devvrat, former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.

11.35 am: Due to his previous association, Modi considers the state as his second home. He had worked in the state as party in-charge in 1998 when the BJP had formed the government under Prem Kumar Dhumal.

11.30 am: This will be Modi’s third visit to Himachal Pradesh, after he addressed two “Parivartan” rallies at Mandi and Shimla.