Amreli, Aug 14 (IANS) Amreli received a package of 66 development projects worth Rs 403.21 crore on Friday as Gujarat hosted its state-level Independence Day celebrations in the district, with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announcing higher special grants for local bodies and highlighting major road, water and tourism projects.
The projects were e-inaugurated or had their foundation stones laid by Patel at the ‘Amrit Gatha Amreli’ cultural programme held at Forward School Ground on the eve of the 80th Independence Day.
Governor Acharya Devvrat and Patel attended the programme, where more than 200 artists performed on patriotism, Gujarat’s cultural heritage and Amreli’s history.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Devvrat described Amreli as a land of valour, literature, character and philanthropy. He said its people had brought recognition to the country at national and international levels.
He said the district was progressing rapidly on the path of development. The Governor also called for greater adoption of natural farming, warning that excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides had polluted soil and affected food quality.
He said toxic pesticides had contributed to diseases among humans and animals and stressed the need to protect soil for future generations.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated natural farming as a national mission in the country and shown the way towards a healthy future,” Devvrat said, adding that Gujarat was also working in this direction.
He expressed his resolve to make Gujarat a “poison-free state” and appealed to citizens to use natural products in their homes.
Patel, meanwhile, linked the state-level celebration in Amreli with the district’s broader development journey.
“The practice of holding state-level national festival celebrations in different districts, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had helped increase development in those areas,” he noted.
Recalling Amreli’s contribution to the freedom struggle, the Chief Minister highlighted the district’s Praja Mandal movement and the role of Savarkundla’s Manilal Trivedi in the Non-Cooperation Movement.
He also referred to Amreli’s literary heritage and its association with Zaverchand Meghani, Bhoja Bhagat, Muktanand Swami, poet Kalapi, Dulabhaya Kag and Ramesh Parekh.
Patel said Narmada water had reached Amreli through the Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI) Yojana, helping drive an agricultural transformation through water conservation.
He also recalled the laying of a six-kilometre machine-grade cable under the sea between Chanch Port and Shiyal Bet in 2016, which brought electricity to the island.
Looking ahead, Patel said: “Eight major bridges were being constructed for Rs 193 crore to support transportation and tourism. The Rajula-Jafrabad and Babra-Chavand roads are also planned for development as high-speed corridors. More than Rs 5,000 crore has been allocated for various development works in Amreli over the past five years.”
He said more than 7.5 lakh trees had been planted in the district for environmental conservation and that Ambardi Safari Park was being developed to create tourism opportunities comparable with Gir while supporting lion conservation.
The Chief Minister also announced that the special grant for municipalities and gram panchayats in districts hosting state-level national festival celebrations would be doubled.
The grant for municipal development works, administered through the District Collector, and the rural development grant administered through the District Development Officer will each rise from Rs 2.50 crore to Rs five crore.
Amreli is the first district to benefit from the decision, with Patel presenting cheques of Rs five crore each to the District Collector and District Development Officer.
Of the Rs 403.21 crore development package, two Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board works worth Rs 114.79 crore were inaugurated.
Ten Roads and Buildings Department (State) projects, comprising six works worth Rs 98.72 crore, were inaugurated, and four works worth Rs 59 crore, for which foundation stones were laid, for a total of Rs 157.72 crore.
Foundation stones were also laid for 47 rural infrastructure works worth Rs 93.05 crore under the Roads and Buildings Department (Panchayat).
Two revenue-sector works worth Rs 14.03 crore were inaugurated, along with an Information and Broadcasting Department office built at Rs 4.52 crore and two Education Department works worth Rs 4.51 crore.
An additional work worth Rs 12.69 crore under the Social Justice and Empowerment Department and one Health Department work worth Rs 1.91 crore were also e-inaugurated or launched.
Seventeen distinguished citizens were honoured for contributions in fields including water conservation, environment, literature, education, health, sports, music and social service.
Those recognised included Padma Shri Savjibhai Dholakiya for water conservation; Mohanbhai Thummar for environmental work; Kanubhai Gediya on behalf of Padma Shri Ratilal Borisagar for literature; Chandreshkumar Borisagar and Raghavjibhai Katkiya (Raghu Ramakadu) for education; Bhaktiram Bapu for social service; Vishnubhai Bhalia for literature; Mandakiniben Purohit for social service; a representative of the Lallubhai Sheth Trust, Savarkundla, and Amitkumar Magiya for health; Deputy Superintendent of Police Nayna Gordiya for social service; Babubhai Dabhi for snake care and environmental work; Dr A. J. Dabawala for health; Forum Kagathra for sports; Vimalbhai Mehta for music; Pranav Pandya and Dr Ketan Kanpariya for literature; and Vipulbhai Bhatti of Samvedan Group, Amreli, for social service.
The district administration and the Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities Department jointly organised ‘Amrit Gatha Amreli’, in which the artists presented a range of cultural performances.
A Coffee Table Book and a ‘Vikas Vatika’ booklet prepared jointly by the district administration and District Information Office were also released by the Governor and Chief Minister.
–IANS
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