Kotkhai (Himachal Pradesh), Oct 22 (IANS): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh Wednesday asked a private company executing a major road project in the prominent apple belt of Shimla to complete the work within timeframe or face action.

"The work on the Theog-Rohru-Hatkoti road has been sanctioned to Chadha and Chadha Company by the World Bank. If the company failed to complete the work within time, its tenders would be cancelled," the chief minister said.

Speaking at the concluding ceremony of a three-day wrestling championship here, about 110 km from Shimla, he asked locals to cultivate off-season vegetables to increase their income.

He said education was the priority of the state government and it was concerned about opening schools in the rural and far-flung areas.

"The government is endeavouring to promote the rural games and creating better sports infrastructure in rural areas so that the budding players could get an opportunity to perform better at state, national and international sports events."

The chief minister congratulated three players -- Jeewan Kumar, Ajit Singh and Dhruv Singh -- hailing from the state for winning medals in the powerlifting championship in Las Vegas, US. While Jeewan Kumar won gold, Ajit Singh and Dhruv Singh won silvers.