Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Thursday said the State Annual Plan of Rs 5200 crore had been proposed for financial year 2016-17 with an increase of Rs 400 crore over present fiscal.
Presiding over the meetings of MlAs of Solan, Shimla and Sirmaur districts here on Thursday for the finalization of priorities for 2016-17 budget, he said with the consistent efforts of the State Government, Government of India had restored the funding for core centrally sponsored schemes in the ratio of 90:10 and the State would give priority to get funds for the priorities of the MlAs under grant based programmes of the Union Government.
To avoid unwanted delays in preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs), the State Government had made provision in the present budget for preparing DPRs on outsource basis, he said.
The Chief Minister said the Skill Development Corporation had been set up in the State and in principle approval had been granted to Rs 640 crore scheme for implementing various skill development programmes. He announced to enhance the maximum limit for sending DPRs to NABARD from Rs 50 crore to Rs 60 crore per assembly segment from 2014-15 to 2017-18.
Virbhadra Singh directed the departments to give attention to the priorities of the MlAs. He also asked to hold routine joint meetings of officers of PWD, Forest and Revenue departments to ensure quick approval of road projects. He also directed for proper maintenance of old irrigation schemes and hand pumps.
He directed the authorities concerned to ensure that people construct proper septic tanks and they have proper sewerage connectivity in urban areas failing which their water and electricity connections should be seized.
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil suggested adopting solar electric power fencing project of Kerala State to tackle stray animal menace in the State. He said that this model could prove to be very effective in avoiding losses to horticulture and agriculture produce.
Chief Parliamentary Secretary Rohit Thakur, who represents Jubbal-Kotkhai constituency, urged the Chief Minister to relax the norms of specifications of metaling of roads in the snow bound areas to ensure better road conditions. He demanded to release funds to APEDA for construction of three CA stores sanctioned for the State at Chamba, Patlikuhal and Kharapatthar.
MlA from Arki Constituency Govind Ram Sharma demanded to expedite work on various irrigation and drinking water supply schemes in his constituency. He said I&PH department should explore possibilities to construct dams for providing irrigation facility to the farmers. He also demanded early preparation of detailed project report for setting up Transport Nagar keeping in view the high intensity of traffic in the constituency.
Rajiv Saijal, MlA from Kasauli demanded to revive old Parwanoo to Kasauli trekking route of the British period which would give new dimension to tourism activities in the area.
He requested for broadening of Gambar bridge and repair of Dharampur to Kasauli, Dharampur to Subathu via Kanda and Dharampur to Subathu roads. He also listed various roads to be constructed on priority basis in his constituency.
MlA from Kasumpti constituency Anirudh Singh requested for proper sewerage system in Shimla town and to complete Mehali-Panthaghati sewerage line project at the earliest.
Suresh Bhardwaj, MlA from Shimla raised the demand for starting up the work on new water supply scheme for Shimla town, keeping in view the rising demand of water in the State Capital which was also a favourite tourist destination. He also demanded for modernization of all sewerage plants of the town. He demanded for more parking slots and taking other effective steps for making Shimla town congestion free. Bhardwaj also demanded for taking effective steps to tackle with the problem of stray dogs in the town.