Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday said that the State Government has prepared a proposal for water conservation and management with an estimated cost of RS4,751 crore for five districts of the State which are facing water shortage for irrigation.
During the Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog at New Delhi, Thakur said that the State Government has taken up this matter with the Centre for funding through any external agency.
The Chief Minister informed the Prime Minister that Rs 343.12 crore central assistance for financial years 2015-16 and 2016-17 under Pradhanmantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna (PMKSY) was still pending.
He said that Water Resources Ministry had given priority to 99 irrigation projects in 2016-17 under PMKSY for funding, however no single scheme of Himachal Pradesh was added in this list despite fulfilling all the conditions.
The State Government had requested to add Rs 156.31 crore and Rs 204.51 crore for medium irrigation projects of Nadaun and Finna Singh for funding under AIBP as they were fulfilling the conditions, he added.
The Chief Minister also requested for early release of pending funds under Pradhanmantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna. He further said that the State Government will implement nine schemes in the current year for boosting the income of farmers.
Thakur also informed that a target has been fixed to plant 10 lakh new saplings by year 2022 to boost horticulture in Himachal.
He also apprised the Prime Minister about the progress made under various schemes and programmes besides various initiatives taken by the State Government which include development in agriculture sector and doubling the farmers’ income by 2022, Electronic National Agriculture Market (e-nam), Soil Health Cards, MNREGA, Ayushman Bharat, Pradhanmantri Rashtriya Swasthya Suraksha Mission, National Nutrition Mission, Mission Indradhanush among others.
He said that fund allocation for National Ambulance Service 108 which is a part of National Health Mission is being provided in the ratio of 20:80 (Centre and State). He urged for funds assistance in the ratio of 90:10 keeping in view the tough geographical conditions of the state.
Thakur also said that Chamba, Hamirpur, Solan, Shimla and Una districts are being covered under National Nutrition Mission. The State Government is making efforts to fill necessary posts for successful implementation of this programme, however as per the directions of the GOI, the State Government will bear the financial burden of posts pertaining to headquarter level which amounts to Rs 21 crore, said he.
He urged the Centre to review this decision in the interest of state so that the goals under the programme are achieved fast.
The Chief Minister further said that district Chamba has been identified under Special Development Needs of Aspirational Districts and the district administration has prepared an elaborate three year action plan for integrated development of the district. It has been submitted to the Centre Government, he added.