Himachal CM lays foundation stones of projects worth Rs.12 crore

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Wednesday laid foundation stones of development projects worth more than Rs.12 crore in Palampur assembly segment.

He also announced an increase of the bed capacity at the civil hospital here to 200 from the existing 100.

Addressing a public meeting here on the fourth day of his winter sojourn in Kangra district, Virbhadra Singh described Palampur as a "garden city" with a salubrious and serene environment and a place endowed with natural grandeur and beauty.

The chief minister said Dharamsala town, near here, has become the second capital town after Shimla and was housing many important government offices.

Justifying the setting up of a second state assembly in Dharamsala, he said: "The Vidhan Sabha in Dharamsala is a symbol of people's power, a symbol of equality and status.

"It was far more important to set up the Vidhan Sabha in Dharamsala, besides in Shimla."

He said the government was considering to set up a convention centre in the Vidhan Sabha premises in Dharamsala so that it could be utilised when the assembly was not in session.

Assembly speaker B.B.L. Butail thanked the chief minister for the projects in his constituency, and also demanded a circuit house here.