Shimla, Dec 28 (Inditop.com) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal Monday alleged that the central government ignores the interests of the hill state while expanding rail network or for extending special industrial package.
“It was not fair on the part of the central government to ignore the interests of the people of the small state like Himachal in the field of expanding rail network and extending special industrial package,” Dhumal, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, told reporters here.
He said that the Congress-led central government had adopted discriminatory attitude towards the development of rail network in the state.
“The government has requested the central government to expedite the execution of Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri and Nangal-Talwara and proposed Bilaspur-Manali-Leh rail lines.
“The Bilaspur-Manali-Leh rail line would not only help maintain all-season connectivity with the tribal areas in the state but also play an important role from the defence point of view. This project is crucial for national security as neighbouring China has developed airfields on the areas adjoining Indian border.”
On extension of special industrial package, Dhumal said that: “The state government has not received any signal from the centre.”
“We demand that the industrial package should be extended by 10 years till 2020. This will ensure all-around industrial stability in the state,” the chief minister said.
Fully satisfied with performance of his government, the chief minister, who completes two years in office Wednesday, said his biggest achievement was that the common man considered the government as his own and trusts it.
Claiming that his government had worked for all sections of society, Dhumal said that in spite of recession the per capita income had increased to Rs.44,803 in 2008-09 and was likely to increase to Rs.46,000 during the current year.
rounak