NEW DELHI, Feb 17: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today requested the Centre to sanction a special economic package of Rs 7,565 crore to his State to tide over difficult financial situation.
Singh called on Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram in North Block, and told him that the 13th Finance Commission has “misjudged” committed liabilities of the state as a result of which the gap in HP’s committed liabilities in terms of pension, salaries and interest, which has been Rs 3,522 crore during the year 2012-13, will increase to Rs 4,043 crore during the year 2013-14.
Singh requested Chidambaram to restore the amount deducted in Special Central Assistance allocation of Rs 106 crore for the current financial year.
He demanded that all centrally sponsored schemes should be uniformly funded in the ratio of 90:10 for all special category states. He said that at present the funding under Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan was 65 per cent; 75 per cent for Mid Day Meal Schemes, Indira Awas Yojna, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan and Swaran Jayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojna; Nutritional Component of ICDS 50 per cent and ambulance service under NHM is 20 per cent.
He said the provision in these services to Himachal is less in comparison to other North East states and requested the Finance Minister to provide funding in all these schemes on their pattern.
The Chief Minister requested the Centre to restore the special industrial package to the state till 2020 and told that discontinuation of special package of industrial incentive is adversely impacting the industrial growth and employment opportunities in the State.
The Finance Minister said the Central Government will provide liberal financial assistance to the state to expedite the development process in the state.
He congratulated the Chief Minister for taking over the reins of the State for record sixth terms “which is a matter of pride for the Congress and people of Himachal Pradesh”. (PTI)
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