After a brief stay in Delhi in which he met three Union Ministers and had demanded special financial package for the State, Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Monday said he is hopeful of Centre’s financial aid which could be in the form of grant or package.

“Financial health of the State is in shambles and I have met several Union Ministers, including Finance Minister P Chidambram and requested for a special financial package. I have got some assurance and am hopeful that soon State will get some aid in the form of grant or special package,” said the Chief Minister.

He blamed the previous BJP Government for the entire financial mess and said that previous Government spent the money like there was no tomorrow and on frivolous things. “State’s financial health is bad but there is no need to panic and Congress Government will strengthen it,” said Singh.

“I have requested the Central Government to extend the special industrial package of the State and give some exemptions in excise duty or Income Tax to the companies investing in the State,” added Singh. He said that this move would strengthen the industrial sector in the state.

Singh added during his brief stay in Delhi, he even met Union Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal and asked for starting the work on the Bhannupalli-Bilaspur railway line project. “Union Railway Minister showed concern over the poor pace of work on land acquisition for which state government has assured that this will be done soon,” said Singh.

We also discussed the Nangal-Talwara railway line and connecting Baddi with Kalka-Shimla railway line. “Since independence Himachal Pradesh has got only just over 40 kilometres of railway line,” said Singh, adding that since Metro project is on in Chandigarh, State Government has asked for extension of the Metro railway line till Baddi and Nalagarh.