Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Friday submitted a memorandum to President Pranab Mukherjee pertaining to unfavourable award of 13th Finance Commission which recommended an overall increase of only 50 per cent for Himachal Pradesh while the other States were given an average increase of 126 per cent, thus causing financial hardships to the State.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Irrigation and Public Health Minister Vidya Stokes, Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri, Industries Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma.
Chief Minister said that had the 13th Finance Commission recommended grants at par with other States, the State would have been entitled to receive additional share of Rs10,725 crore from the period 2010 to 2015.
Singh said that there should be uniformity in funding pattern amongst Special Category States. He said that Himachal Pradesh should be treated at par with other Special Category States and funding under centrally sponsored schemes should be in the ratio 90:10 respectively by the Union and State Governments.
He also urged for restoration of industrial package for the State as the withdrawal of industrial package had hindered the industrial growth.
Singh said that the Supreme Court had accepted the State’s claim on BBMB project and directed the Central Government to file calculations on long standing claim of Himachal Pradesh which amounts to Rs4,250 crore to be released at the earliest.
Dhumal asks Prez to constitute Himachal regiment in Army
leader of Opposition Prem Kumar Dhumal on Friday urged the President, who is the supreme commander of armed forces, to grant one Himachal regiment which would protect the Himalayan regions.
Welcoming the President on the occasion of golden jubilee celebration of State Assembly, Dhumal said that since Himachal Pradesh had contributed a lot in armed forces and several soldiers from the State have laid their lives for the country, such a regiment was needed.
“I do not insist on the name of regiment which could be anything like Himachal regiment or Himalayan regiment but there should be one regiment which could protect the Himalayas from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh,” said Dhumal.
He said that both sea in the south and Himalayas are becoming increasingly vulnerable with security perspective and people who reside in Himalayan region can protect the hills due to their life style and physical strength.
He added that second problem State has been facing is rail network which needs to be strengthened as it would not only promote tourism but would also bolster the security interests of the nation. Dhumal requested the president to take up the matter with the Union Government and address the issue.