Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Friday said the State Government had proposed an annual plan of Rs4800 crore for the year 2015-16 which was 400 crore higher than the previous annual plan of 4400 crore. The Government had also enhanced the limit of loan sanction facility under NABARD for the year 2014-15 to Rs765 crore from the existing 500 crore so that the priorities of the MlAs could be met.
Presiding over the meeting of MlAs called for finalisation of priorities for the Annual Plan 2015-16 here, he said the State Government had decided to take finance priorities of MlAs under PMGSY, CRF, World Bank, NRDWP etc and if the funds under the centrally sponsored schemes were not available, then the same would be obtained under NABARD.
The decision was taken to obtain maximum benefits under the centrally sponsored schemes and more than 250 development projects of MlA’s priorities had been got sanctioned under different grant based schemes from Government of India during last one year.
On Friday, MlAs from Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Kullu, Mandi and Bilaspur districts participated in the meeting. The Chief Minister announced for enhancement of fund limit for submitting Detailed Project Report’s (DPRs) of development works to NABARD for each assembly constituency from eight crore yearly to Rs12.50 crore i.e. cumulatively from 32 crores at present, for financial year 2014-15 to 2017-18, to Rs50 crore.
He directed all the secretaries and the heads of the departments to solve the problems and grievances of the public representatives on priority and also to ensure immediate action on their suggestions.
Expressing concern over the delay in preparations of DPRs, he directed the officers to prepare the DPRs in time bound manner so that the same could be sent to GoI or financing agency for undertaking development works. Singh said the development of the entire State was his utmost priority and the Government was committed for speedy, balanced and overall development of the State besides providing clean, responsive and transparent Government to the people.
He said that there would be no discrimination in respect of development in any area of the State.
He said the youth would be provided training as per the need of the industrial houses so that they could get better employment opportunities in both the Government and private sectors. The Government was making concerted efforts in this direction and was committed to make Himachal Pradesh a favourite destination for entrepreneurs.
The CM expressed his concern over the improvement of roads and said that the pace of work by IPH, Electricity and PWD departments be accelerated particularly in the far-flung areas. He assured that all water supply schemes would be completed in a time bound manner all over the State and responsibility of the concerned officers would be fixed.
The Chief Minister directed the PWD authorities to speed up the work on the roads all over the State. He said that all MlAs are free to approach the office of Chief Minister and the officer concerned for their priorities. He said that the suggestions received in the meeting would go a long way in formulating development plans.
Irrigation and Public Health Minister Vidya Stokes, Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, Excise and Taxation Minister Prakash Chaudhary and Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anil Sharma, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Virender Dharmani, Nand lal, Vinay Kumar, Mansa Ram, and Deputy Chairman Planning Board, Gangu Ram Musafir also gave their valuable suggestions during the meeting. Chief Secretary P. Mitra, Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and heads of various departments and other senior officers were present on the occasion.