CM demands centre for special provisions to hill states in funding of developmental schemes

Despite financial constraint from Centre, Himachal still a leading state: Virbhadra Singh
Shimla, September 4, 2017: Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh expressing his concern over the pattern of funding by NITI Ayog said the state used to receive central assistance in the ratio 90:10 and was getting status of special category hill state before formation of the Aayog.

But as of now after formation of the Ayog, funds to the state have been reduced drastically in centrally-sponsored schemes and special industrial package withdrawn, he said.

Chief Minister was addressing a public meeting at Lambloo in Hamirpur today.

He said that however state had received more than Rs 2767 crore before winding up of the Planning Commission during the UPA's regime, but the assistance had been discontinued after NDA government came into power at the centre.

He said that India was a Union of states and without states we cannot imagine India as a whole, adding that only the Union territories were under the direct control of the Central government and were governed by the Centre whereas the States were autonomous.

The responsibility of Union government was to provide funds equally to the states for development. The hill states should have a separate provision of funds because of their topography, he said adding that the NITI Ayog had ignored all such provisions. He added that the state did not receive any amount under head of General Central Assistance during year 2015-16 and 2016-17.

Apart from all financial constraint from the centre Government, Himachal Pradesh was a leading state in many sectors. It was the best big state in field of education in the country. Apart from this the per capita income of the state was 1,47,277 as of now, said the Chief Minister.

Saying that he feels at home when at Lambloo, he announced sub tehsil at Lambloo. He assured to look into the demand of opening an ITI at Bari-Fernol.

Earlier, addressing a gathering at Brahladi he announced Irrigation scheme for Daknala, Dodbhal, Nara and Kharoonin villages, announced upgradation of Veterinary dispensary Dhudana to Veterinary hospital, a road to be constructed for Tikkar and Darbote to Bhal, all Harijan habitations, announced opening of Ayurveda dispensary at Kushaad. He also announced metalling of road for Parsi village. He also directed to construct a boundary wall of Brahladi school.

The Chief Minister laid foundation stone of building of Government High School Brahladi to cost Rs 31 lakh and laid foundation stone of Lift Water Supply Scheme (LWSS) at Lambaloo to cost Rs to cost Rs 13.54 crore and benefit a population of 29550 of 56 habitations of 16 panchayats.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated drinking water treatment plant at Gasota completed with an outlay of Rs 1.16 crore. This would benefit population of around 15000 of 16 habitations of 8 Panchayats.

Vice Chairman KCCB Shri Kuldeep Pathania also spoke on the occasion. He said that the ‘Modi’ magic had now finished. The people have realized that the false promises of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to deposit a sum of Rs15 lakh in account of each countrymen was a political stunt for bagging votes. The people of the country feel cheated as of now. The prices of essential commodities were sky-rocketing, he said.

He said that the Gross Domestic Product has stooped to a very low due to demonetization of currency. The youth feel cheated in name of two crore jobs as promised by NDA. There were more terrorist attacks during the NDA regime taking heavy toll of our security forces, he said.

He placed several demands of the areas and listed the developments of the areas too.

He demanded sub tehsil for Lambloo and IPH sub-division to be opened at Lambloo.

Shri Vinod Thakur, who recently joined the Congress said that he would support the candidate who would be the face of Congress from Hamirpur.

He thanked the Chief Minister for regularizing around 40 thousand employees and reducing the contract period of service. He also launched attack on BJP leaders of the district for playing politics of pick and choose and promoting nepotism.

Chief Parliamentary Secretary Shri Inder Dutt Lakhan Pal, Vice-Chairman State Disaster Management Board Shri Rajender Rana, Chairman Kangra Central Co-operative Bank Shri Jagdish Sapheiya, Chairman Ex-servicemen Corporation Col. BC Lagwal, Chairman APMC Shri Prem Kaushal, Member Woman Commission Smt. Promila Devi, President DCC Shri Naresh Thakur were also present on the occasion amongst others.