CM urges Centre to release Rs 343 cr funds

Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, JUNE 17

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the release of Rs 343 crore Central assistance for financial years 2015-16 and 2016-17 under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna (PMKSY).

Presenting the state’s views during the 4th meeting of NITI Aayog’s Governing Council meeting, which was presided over by the Prime Minister, Thakur also urged for inclusion of two projects in the Union Water Resources list.

The state had earlier asked the Centre for the inclusion of the two projects, Nadaun and Finna Singh, on the list whose estimated costs were Rs 156 crore and Rs 205. The Centre had not included these in the list though these were eligible.

The Centre had given priority to 99 irrigation projects in 2016-17 under the PMKSY with a view to strengthening the irrigation network to boost the agriculture sector.

He said the state had taken up with the Centre for funding its proposed project relating to water conservation and management with an estimated cost of Rs 4,751 crore for five districts facing water shortage for irrigation. The state wanted Central help for funding it through an external agency.

He listed out measures taken by the state to boost farmers’ income, including setting a target to plant 10 lakh new saplings by 2022 to boost horticulture and fencing of farmlands to protect crops from monkeys.

He said Chamba district had been identified under “Special Development Needs of Aspirational Districts”. The district administration has prepared an elaborate 3-year Action Plan for its integrated development.

Thakur batted for amendment to the present funding allocation with regard to National Ambulance Service 108 ( which is part of National Health Mission) from 20:80 (Centre and State) to 90:10.

His demands include exemption of the state from financial burden of Rs 21 crore with regard to filling posts under the National Nutrition Mission. Chamba, Solan, Shimla and Una have been covered under the mission.

NITI Aayog meets  

• Presenting the state’s views during the 4th meeting of NITI Aayog’s Governing Council meeting, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur urged the PM to include two projects in the Union Water Resources list  
• The state had earlier asked the Centre for the inclusion of the two projects, Nadaun and Finna Singh, on the list whose estimated costs were Rs 156 crore and Rs 205
• The Centre had not included these on the list though these were eligible