Himachal seeks special assistance for developing rail lines

New Delhi, July 5 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh Saturday called on union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley here and sought special assistance for the state, especially in developing the rail network.

The chief minister demanded that the Bilaspur-Leh via Manali, Jogindernagar-Pathankot and Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri rail lines should be declared as national projects.

He also sought revival of the special industrial package to the state as it was necessary to accelerate the pace of development in the state.

"The income tax, central excise duty exemption to industrial units should be provided at least till the year 2020," Virbhadra Singh said.

The chief minister demanded uniform funding pattern for all central sponsored schemes, especially mid-day meal and Indira Awas Yojana, as a special category state.

The funding pattern should be in the ratio of 90:10, i.e. 90 percent by the central government and the rest by the state.

He also raised the demand to release arrear for the damages caused by heavy rains in 2013 amounting to Rs.144.36 crore at the earliest.

Out of Rs.240 crore approved by the central governnment, only Rs.95.40 crore was released, he said.