Dhumal levelling baseless, irrational charges: Stokes

Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 25

Former Chief Minister P K Dhumal was looking at the enormous development of the state with black glasses and is unable to digest prosperity of the state and popularity of the government during four years of the Congress rule, said Irrigation and Public Health Minister Vidya Stokes. In a statement released here today, she said that Dhumal had been levelling irrational and baseless charges just to boost his leadership.

She suggested the BJP leader to get the truth verified before making frivolous statements so as to stay in limelight and gain cheap publicity.

Stokes said it was on the request of the Chief Minister that the Union Ministry for Road, Transport and Highways, in its letter dated September 14 gave consolidated approval for 61 roads to be declared as National Highways, having total length of 3880.021 km.

Rubbishing the claims of the state BJP leader about delay by the state government in preparing Detailed Project Report (DPR), despite receiving the notification for as many as 61 National highways, she said that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways granted approval on October 27 for Rs 229.69 crore for preparation of DPRs through consultants.

She said there was no delay on the part of the National Highway wing of the state PWD Department which has always been pro-active since the date of announcements and in principle declaration of the 61 National Highways by the Union Ministry.

She said that the criticism of the government by Dhumal was unwarranted as the DPR of Rs 1200 crore under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) stands approved and the DPR of over Rs 700 crore prepared under NABARD was awaiting clearance. She said that the progress had been satisfactory and the remaining approvals had to be given by Government of India.