DHARAMSALA, JAN 31: Himachal Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal announced to set up a sub-tehsil at Thural in Palampur sub-division of Kangra district which would come into existence from April 1. The Chief Minister said this while addressing a gathering at Thural after laying the foundation stone of a bridge over Neugal Khad.The bridge of 166-metre span with double lane, would cost around Rs 2.50 crore. He said on completion the bridge would not only link the Duhak-Ghartoom road with the Thural-Saidum road but also usher in a new era of progress and prosperity for many backward and underdeveloped panchayats of the Changar area.Dhumal observed that the Changar area of the Thural constituency had suffered an utter neglect due to the indifferent attitude of the Congress regime. He assured the people of full attention towards the overall development of such areas.Former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar, MP, also announced upgradation of senior secondary school in Thural constituency which was put forth by Technical Education Minister Ravinder Ravi. PALAMPUR: Justifying the recent hike in commodities relating to Public Distribution System (PDS) announced by the Union Government, Prem Kumar Dhumal today said the step had to be taken because of the swelling budgetary deficit to bring back economy on rails.Addressing a pess conference at Thural, 28 km from here, he pointed out that the Union Government had reduced the prices where it could do like the reduction in diesel prices.When asked about the resignation of Madan Lal Khurana, the Chief Minister, refused to comment, adding that matter related to the higher levels of the party.Listing his achievements, especially relating to Kangra district, Dhumal said recognition to Medical College Tanda, foundation stone of 12 MW Khauli hydel poject in addition to initiation on Rs. 143-crore Shah Nehar project, which would irrigate 28,000 hectares of land in the state, were some of the examples in the case.Referring to the projects initiated for Palampur, Dhumal said that steps were being taken to establish Vivekanand Medical Institute (VMI) at Holta, 15 mw Neugal hydel project, MOU for which has already been signed and ropeway project. On being asked about the possibility of introduction of Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for the wool producers of the state, Dhumal replied in the affirmative and said that the matter was under active consideration of the state government and a proposal to this effect had already been submitted by the concerned agency.He also assured that Palampur would also be declared as one of the districts as and when the reorganisation of districts was undertaken by the state government.
