Mandi: Industries and Information & Public Relations Minister Mukesh Agnihotri unfurled the National flag at Mandi and took salute at a march past presented by contingents of Himachal Pradesh Police, Home Guard, NCC, NSS and Scouts and Guides.

Paying tributes to the freedom fighters, Agnihotri said that the State Government had taken many decisions for welfare of all sections of the society besides ensuring balanced development of all areas during last one and half years.

Referring to development of Mandi district Agnihotri said that Rs. 84 crore had been sanctioned for drinking water supply scheme for Mandi town. He said that Mother and Child Care Hospital was being constructed at Zonal Hospital Mandi for which a provision of Rs. 20 crore had been made besides Rs. 45 crore for Cancer Care Centre.

Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sohan Lal Thakur, eputy Commissioner Sandeep Kadam, Inspector General of Police P.L. Thakur, Superintendent of Police Mohit Chawala and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.

At Kullu

MPP and Power Minister Sujan Singh Pathania presided over the district-level Independence Day function at Kullu. Referring to the development of Kullu district, Pathania said that Rs. 50 crore was being spent on strengthening of electricity system during this year. He said that construction work of 66 KV Power Sub Station costing Rs. 13 crore was near to completion at Nagan in Ani area. He said that 33 KV Power Sub Station would be set up at Bhutti, Riasan and Sharabai soon.

Pathania said that State had potential of about 23000 MW hydel power and efforts were on to harness it. He said that Himachal Pradesh emerged as a role model to hilly States in the matter of development. He said that State achieved many milestones during past one and a half years in various fields.

He honoured the persons for their outstanding contributions in various fields on the occasion.

MLAs Karan Singh and Maheshwar Singh, District and Session Judge Purendar Viadya, Chairman, Zila Parishad Hari Chand Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kanwar, Superintendent of Police Surender Verma and other prominent persons were also present on the occasion.