Himachal Pradesh CM demands expansion of rail and air network

SHIMLA: During the meeting held with chairman of the 15th Finance Commission NK Singh at New Delhi on Tuesday, Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur not only raised the issue of expanding the rail and air connectivity in Himachal Pradesh but also raised the issue of compensating the hill state for the externalities arising from environment conservation and forest protection.He also raised the issue of providing 100% funding to the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) by Central government.
In the meeting, Jai Ram Thakur discussed state’s priorities and need for funds for upgradation of infrastructure in various sectors, airport connectivity, railway expansion and requested to consider state specific grants.
He requested for a special purpose grant to the tune of Rs 2000 crore from the commission for construction of international standard airport at Nagchala in district Mandi. He informed that Airport Authority of India has completed technical survey related to obstacle limitation surfaces and discussions are going on for construction of airport for operation of wide bodied aircraft.
Jai Ram Thakur said that state is vulnerable to natural disasters like flash floods, cloudbursts, forest fires, droughts, cold waves and avalanches etc and therefore there is a need for enhancing the size of SDRF. He requested that SDRF be funded 100 percent by the Central government.
He further said that Himachal Pradesh needs to be compensated for the externalities arising from environment conservation and forest protection. The people of the state have always extended a hand in the development of nation by sacrificing their water rights, fertile agriculture lands through submergence of land and displacement of people for setting up of national hydro projects of Bhakrah, Pandoh and Pong dams.
Jai Ram Thakur has requested the commission to recommend adequate revenue deficit grants so that not only the deficit is neutralized but the state also has adequate revenue surplus to fund a part of the capital expenditure.