<span style="color: #222222;">In Himachal Pradesh, the BJP government held a State level function at Peterhoff in Shimla to mark its third anniversary. While addressing the State level function virtually from New Delhi, the Defence Minister Rajnath appreciated the efforts of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur for the splendid and unprecedented achievements of his government.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said that PMGSY was a great gift of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and it has proved a boon to the hilly States like Himachal Pradesh. He congratulated the Chief Minister for making Himachal Pradesh second best State in the country in effective implementation of the PMGSY.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Union Minister said the Atal Tunnel dedicated recently by the Prime Minister to the nation would not only facilitate the people of the Lahaul Spiti district but was also of strategic importance.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Addressing the function at Peterhoff, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the three years tenure of the present State government was dedicated towards welfare of every section of the society and development of every area of the State. The State government during this period took several initiatives to make Himachal Pradesh a most developed State of the country. He said that the Corona pandemic has forced the government to organize this mega event with utmost simplicity by strictly following the SOPs due to the Coronavirus.  On this occasion, the Chief Minister also spoke about several welfare schemes of the State government running successfully in the State.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur while addressing the event virtually from New Delhi congratulated the State Government and people of the State for the glorious three years of the State Government. He said  several schemes have been launched by the State Government to ensure that the left-out beneficiaries of various welfare schemes of the Union Government get benefits of these schemes. He said  India has emerged strong and powerful under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Raksha Mantri. He said that about Rs. 500 crore interest free loan has been provided to the State so as to ensure that the pace of development does not get affected due to paucity of funds.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur honoured the Union Raksha Mantri by presenting him Himachali cap and shawl. </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The message of National BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda was also read out on the occasion by General Secretary BJP Trilok Jamwal.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal also addressed the event virtually and appreciated the new initiatives and achievements of the State Government. </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">State BJP In-charge Avinash Rai Khanna said that the BJP government led by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ensured development and welfare of every section of the society.  He said that the State has made rapid progress during the last three years.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">State BJP President Suresh Kashyap said the State has made unprecedented development during the present tenure of the State Government. He said that the State has been awarded by the Central Government and several independent agencies for its achievements in different sectors.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Union Raksha Mantri and Chief Minister also released a coffee table book 'Sushashan Aur Vishwas Ke, Teen Saal Vikas Ke' on three year's achievements of the State government brought out by the Information and Public Relations Department.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">On the occasion, the august gathering also listened to the 'Mann Ki Baat' programme of the Prime Minister.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Earlier, the Chief Minister paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister Bharat Ratan Atal Behari Vajpayee by paying floral tributes on the statue of Atal Behari Vajpayee at the Ridge in Shimla.</span><br />''  <br />