Chitwan, Apr. 22:Health Minister Dr. Ram Baran Yadav inaugurated the “Shree 1008 Swami Atmananda Giri Dharmartha Dispensary” at Ward No. 2, Devghat Adarsh village development committee of Tanahu district in the historic Devghatdham area here on Friday.

On the occasion, Minister Yadav expressed the belief that the dispensary, established in the famous religious pilgrimage site of the Devghatdham, would help in the health treatment and services of thousands of pilgrims who visit the area.

The government would do everything possible to turn the dispensary into a 15-bed capacity health centre, Health Minister Yadav said urging cooperation from all sectors in the further development of the dispensary.

The dispensary was constructed at the cost of Rs 1.8 million. It is managed by the Galeshwar Ashram Trust. Arrangements have been made at the dispensary for providing free treatment to the pilgrims and the local people residing at Devghatdham.

At present about 500 people are living at the Devghatdham proper and 3,000 more in the adjoining villages including 100 senior citizens at the old-age house there.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Bijaya Gautam, who got a temple of the goddess Gangamata constructed on the premises of the dispensary at the cost of Rs 450,000, handed over management of the temple to the trust.

MPs Shukra Raj Sharma, former MP Miss Maiya Devi Shrestha, treasurer of the Galeshwar Ashram Bhoj Rajbhandari and Nanikaji Bista of the dispensary expressed their views at the programme presided over by the Shree 1008th Swami Atma Nanda Giri.