Development of backward areas top on govt agenda: CM

The development of backward areas is on the top of government agenda and it would make all out efforts to bring them on par with other areas of Himachal, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said.
Inaugurating the government degree college at Shillai in backward area of Sirmaur district, constructed at a cost of Rs 14 crore, Singh said more institutions and other facilities would be provided in the backward areas.
He said a girls hostel with 100 seats would also be constructed at Shillai and post graduate classes in English and Hindi would be started in the college from coming session.

He said all vacant posts of teachers would be filled and residential accommodation for teachers and employees would also be provided in the second phase.
He also announced opening of the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate at Shillai in next financial year to facilitate the people and Primary health centre at Naini Dhar in the interiors and assured that the Sub Divisional office of the National Highway would soon be established at Kafota to accelerate the construction work of laldang-Shillai-Rohru National Highway.
The Chief Minister further said that a vegetable market would also be developed at appropriate place to provide better marketing facility to the farmers of Shillai area and directed the Marketing Committee to conduct survey for identifying a suitable land.

An enquiry would be ordered into alleged anomalies in compensation to the affected families of Renuka Dam project and it would be ensured that the original owners of the land get their due share, he added.
He said that State Government has formulated a work plan to connect all villages with road to enable the farming community to transport their produce to the markets.