A Joint Committee of Himachal Government officials and officers of Indian Army would be constituted to monitor the progress of pending issues between the State and Army Authorities once in a month.
The decision was taken after Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh presided over Civil-Military liaison conference between the officers of Government of Himachal Pradesh and Western Command held here.
“Army, civil administration, Paramilitary forces and police were important pillars of democratic society and coordination between them was must to ensure internal as well as external security of the nation,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the liaison between them becomes more important to mitigate man made and natural disasters.
He said that protection from flash floods and cloud bursts which cause vast devastation and loss to public and private property and to infrastructure like roads and bridges required urgent response and the Army had been providing timely assistance to the State Government during natural disasters and the efforts of army in rescue operation and restoration were commendable.
lt General Sanjiv Chachra, GOC-in-C, Western Command praised the State Government for being considerate and generous to the needs of the defence forces. He said that a large number of officers and soldiers from Himachal Pradesh were
serving the Defence forces and their acts of valour have saved the Nation many times. He requested the State Government to expedite early settlement of many on going issues, especially related to land.
He thanked the Chief Minister for quick response to the Annadale issue and requested him to consider for leasing the Annadale Ground to the Army for longer duration. He assured that Army would provide all assistance to the State Government. He urged the State Government to provide better job opportunities to the ex-servicemen so that they could be settled in a better way.