Shimla, Jan 25 (IANS): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday announced eight per cent interim relief to government employees and pensioners from January 1, 2017.

Official sources said the interim relief would cost the exchequer Rs 700 crore.

Presiding over the 48th statehood day celebrations at Anni town in Kullu district, Thakur also announced doubling the bed capacity of the Civil Hospital in Anni from 50 beds.

The Chief Minister also declared Sarahan-Bathad via Bashleo Pass as a major district road and said the possibility of its immediate construction would be explored.

The 40-km stretch on completion would connect 26 gram panchayats in Nirmand block in Kullu district.

He said that a tunnel would be constructed under Jalori Pass for which the detailed project report of Rs 1,410 crore would be submitted to the Union Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways.

He also announced the construction of six additional rooms in the PWD rest house at Anni for which the necessary funds would be made available.

Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for launching UDAN, a regional air connectivity scheme of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, in the state, the Chief Minister said linking far-flung areas of the state with air connectivity was discussed recently with the Prime Minister.

"My government is committed to zero tolerance towards corruption and I exhort the people to join hands to eradicate corruption entirely," the Chief Minister said.

"I am grateful to the Union Government for sanctioning Rs 1,351 crore for All India Institute of Medical Sciences at Bilaspur. This premier institution would prove a milestone in the field of health sector in the state. An extension centre of the PGI in Chandigarh is also being established at Una," he added.