Subhash Mahajan
Chamba
Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju laid the foundation stones for various development projects worth ₹25.86 crore in Bhanjaradu (Tissa) and Salooni under the Prime Minister Jan Vikas Programme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
The projects include:
- ITI building at Bhanjaradu (Tissa) costing ₹9.84 crore.
- Indoor Stadium at Bhanjaradu (Tissa) costing ₹7 crore.
- Indoor Stadium at Salooni costing ₹9.02 crore.
Addressing public gatherings at Bhanjaradu and Salooni, Rijiju highlighted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the past 11 years have witnessed unprecedented growth in road connectivity, banking services, mobile and internet facilities. He emphasized that the government is committed not only to fulfilling basic needs but also to preparing rural areas for future requirements. He urged locals to avail themselves of government schemes and spread awareness among others.
Rijiju announced that the Indoor Stadium at Bhanjaradu will be completed in 18 months, while the one at Salooni will be ready in 20 months. He assured that all demands raised by locals related to the Minority Affairs Ministry would be considered sympathetically.
He further informed that the Ministry has spent ₹25 crore on entrepreneurship development in Chamba, providing loans at 6% interest to 324 beneficiaries. Additionally, minority students are being offered loans up to ₹25 lakh at 3% interest for pursuing education in India and abroad. Rijiju also stated that 1,75,000 pilgrims from the Muslim community will undertake Haj this year, including 65 pilgrims from Chamba district.
The Minister noted that the Minority Affairs Ministry has initiated ₹31 crore worth of development projects in Chamba, which include the earlier foundation stone for the Government Senior Secondary School building at Diyur along with the three projects inaugurated today.
The event was also addressed by Dr. Rajiv Bhardwaj, MP from Kangra Parliamentary Constituency; D.S. Thakur, MLA from Dalhousie; and Ram Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs. They highlighted various government schemes and ongoing development works.
Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repswal expressed gratitude to Union Minister Rijiju, MP Dr. Bhardwaj, and other dignitaries.
The ceremony was attended by Diladar Ali Batt (Chairman, State Haj Committee), Dheeraj Narayal (District BJP President), IAS officer Sachin Jaiswal (Private Secretary), SP Vijay Saklani, ADC Amit Mehra, SDM Tissa Rajesh Jaryal, SDM Salooni Chandrabir Singh, along with departmental officials, employees, and local residents.
