5% increase in offerings to deities, 20% hike for drummers

Shimla: Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday announced a 5% increase in offerings to deities and 20% hike in honorarium of Bajantris (drummers).
Presiding over the closing ceremony of International Kullu Dussehra, Sukhu also announced the construction of a bridge at a cost of about Rs 26 crore to connect the left and right banks of Beas river at Pirdi in Kullu district.
Sukhu further said the state govt would make every effort to construct Bhubhu-Jot tunnel and the matter had been raised with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union minister Nitin Gadkari. The chief minister also announced to increase the financial assistance for Dussehra celebrations in Haripur, Manali, to Rs 3 lakh.
The state govt will strengthen the 100-bedded Mother and Child Hospital in Kullu to provide better health services and will appoint medical specialist doctors, nurses and paramedical staff there, said the CM.
He said the state govt would provide adequate funds to ensure world class health technology at the district hospital in Kullu. He also announced to provide Rs 8 crore to Kullu PWD mandal and Rs 5 crore to Manali mandal for disaster relief work.
Sukhu offered prayers at the camp of Lord Raghunath and wished for happiness and prosperity in the state. He also flagged-off the Kullu Carnival, in which more than 600 women and artistes participated, including six international teams, various schools and women from more than 30 self-help groups, besides tableaux from various departments.
The CM also inspected the site of the base station of Bijli Mahadev ropeway being constructed at a cost of Rs 273 crore in Pirdi. Sukhu said the state govt had received the necessary clearance for the construction of the ropeway.
He also inspected the site of the proposed Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School and judicial complex in Pirdi.