Himachal CM Virbhadra plays it smart, inaugurates 11 projects online before model code of conduct

Himachal CM Virbhadra plays it smart, inaugurates 11 projects online before model code of conduct

Manjeet Sehgal  | Edited by Sanjana Agnihotri
October 13, 2017 | UPDATED 23:49 IST
HP CM Virbhadra Singh (Photo: PTI)HP CM Virbhadra Singh (Photo: PTI)

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who has been announced a Chief Ministerial candidate a record seventh time, went on a foundation stone laying and inauguration spree.

But interestingly, Virbhadra Singh wrapped up the foundation stone laying and inauguration of projects 30 minutes before the Election Commission announced the dates of assembly elections. With the announcement that the voting for the 68-seat Himachal Pradesh assembly will take place on 9 November, model code of conduct immediately came into effect.

Under this election code, government or running party leaders are not allowed to launch new welfare programmes or conduct any ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

So, CM Virbhadra decided to do the inaugurations and foundation stone laying online from the Secretariat in a tearing hurry. He inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of development projects worth hundreds of crore within minutes. The last foundation stone was laid at 3:30 pm in Ner Chowk Mandi.

CM Virbhadra inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of following:

  •  A medical college in Mandi
  •  A community health centre based at Pangna 
  • A government Polytechnical College at Karsog, Mandi worth Rs 40 crores
  • A Senior Secondary School worth Rs 9.5 crore
  •  Shimla Press Club worth Rs one crore
  • Tandi Sangam in Lahaul and Spiti worth Rs 22 crore
  • Inaugurated three development projects costing Rs 27 lakhs
  • Announced a forest rest house at Kheel Mandi costing Rs 68 lakhs.
An immediate grant of Rs 50 lakhs was also announced to avoid the criticism from the opposition BJP which has accused Virbhadra Singh of making announcements without budgetary provisions just to woo the voters.