Chief Minister, Jai Ram Thakur on Saturday said that he was deeply hurt and saddened by the unrest created by few of his fellow-friends in name of Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office at Janjehli in his Assembly segment Seraj in Mandi district.

“Maybe they don’t want to understand that shifting of SDM office to Thunag was due to the court’s order and not by government. I hope that they would soon realise and work unitedly for overall development of the entire Seraj belt, leaving behind petty politics,” he said, addressing a gathering at Bagsiad.

He said that the people should not get swayed by a few opportunists. “For me Jhanjeli and Thunag are same and the people of both the regions were like my family. I invite them to solve the issue amicably by sharing and sitting. Even the peace treaties were made between the countries after the worst wars. Me and my government are open to the talks with them as they have desired,” he said.

The Chief Minister reiterated that people of Jhanjeli were like his family and were being misled by those who don’t have anything to lose.

Thakur said the budget was presented to keeping in mind good governance, effective service delivery, transforming the rural farm sector and horticulture and employment generation.

“We have also focussed on restoring law and order, housing facility for houseless, controlling and breaking down on drug, mining and forest mafia, providing quality education and providing affordable and quality health services etc,” he said.

He said the government also focuses on empowerment of women, promoting investment by simplifying the procedure and re-vitalising the hydro, tourism and trade sectors.

Thakur said the government has enhanced the number of days for providing employment under MNREGA from 100 to 120 days. The daily wages had been increased to Rs 225 a day besides the honorarium of water guards has been increased from Rs 17,00 to Rs 2,100 per month.

He remembered former minister Karam Singh from Seraj, (Chachiyot then) had presented the budget as finance minister. “I am the second person from Seraj who presented the budget as CM with finance portoflio, which was a matter of great pride for people of area,” he said.