Chandigarh, October 6: The 19th meeting of Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board (SMMDSB) was held today under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal, who is also the Chairman of the Board. A total of 28 agenda items were taken up in the meeting. Home Minister, Sh. Anil Vij, Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Sh. Gian Chand Gupta and former MLA, Smt. Latika Sharma also remained present during the meeting.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister also wished the people of the State for the Shardiya Navratri festival starting from October 7 to 15 and urged the devotees, visiting the Shrine to follow COVID-19 safety protocols.
Directing the concerned officers regarding the removal of the encroachments in Panchkula, the Chief Minister said that a special encroachment free Panchkula drive should be launched immediately to remove all illegal encroachments in and around the city.
During the meeting, Deputy Commissioner-cum-Chief Administrator, SMMDSB, Sh.Vinay Pratap Singh apprised the Chief Minister about various ongoing developmental projects which were discussed in detail.
Construction of parking site at Shree Vatika
The Chief Minister was apprised that an amount of Rs. 1.93 crore has been spent on the construction of Shree Vatika, a surface Parking over a rainy drain passing through Shrine premises. This parking will accommodate nearly 50 vehicles over a total paved area of 1915.41 sq. meters.
Construction of Old Age Home
The Chief Minister was apprised that the work of construction of Old Age Home building over land measuring 0.50 acres. The said Old Age Home would be constructed for Rs. 10.49 crore. This G+4 storeyed building will have 19 double occupancy rooms with other necessary amenities. The building will be having total occupancy of 52 persons with modern facilities.
Construction of Mukhya Singh Dwar
The Chief Minister directed the officers concerned to find a suitable location for setting up the Dwar to welcome the devotees as well as mark the entry to the shrine is to be constructed at SMMDSB Complex. Besides this prepare an estimate for the construction of the same, said Sh. Manohar Lal.
Construction of Shakti Stambh at Kalka Highway
The Chief Minister was apprised that two roadside Stambhas (pillars) to mark the entry of Shri Kali Mata Shrine, as a symbol of Goddess Shri Kali Mata, has been constructed on road-island at Pinjore-Parwanoo bypass near Pinjore and near Kali Mata Temple for Rs. 24.58 lakh. The main work has been completed and its illumination work along with enclosure railing is to be carried out.
The Chief Minister further directed that work regarding beautification and infrastructure development of Shri Kali Mata Mandir, Kalka should be expedited without any delay.
During the meeting, it was informed that various developmental works carried out under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation (PRASAD) scheme to the tune of Rs. 14.70 crore are going at a swift pace.
Rs.78.36 crore approved as SMMDSB budget for the financial Year 2021-2022
During the meeting, the Chief Minister also accorded Budget approval to the tune of Rs.78.36 crore of the SMMDSB for the financial Year 2021-2022.
Financial power of SMMDSB officials increased
To accelerate the pace of development works and to improve day to day functioning of the Shrine Board, the Chief Minister also accorded approval for increasing the financial power of officers of the Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board.
The financial power of the Chief Administrator has increased from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 50 lakh. Likewise, the financial power of the Chief Executive Officer has increased from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh and the financial power of the Secretary is increased from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 50,000.
Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. D. S. Dhesi, Principal Secretary, Higher Education Department, Sh. Anand Mohan Sharan, Principal Secretary, Town and Country Planning and Urban Estates Department, Sh. A. K. Singh, Principal Secretary, Urban Local Bodies Department, Sh. Arun Kumar Gupta, Chief Administrator, Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran, Panchkula, Sh. Ajit Balaji Joshi, Director General, AYUSH, Haryana, Sh. Saket Kumar and other dignitaries also remained present during the meeting.