Budget only draft to gain political mileage in Delhi poll: Dharmani

Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani today said the Budget announced by Union Finance Minister Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was only a draft to gain political mileage in Delhi and Bihar elections and had nothing for Himachal Pradesh.

He said the state government had urged the Centre to provide 100 per cent funding for Centrally-sponsored projects in the hill state. Dharmani added that the state government had requested funding for the expansion of the Kangra airport but there was no mention about this in the Budget. He said he was hopeful that Himachal’s MPs would try to protect the interests of the state and seek special packages for the state from Sitharaman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

During a review meeting of development projects at the Block Development Office in Ghumarvin, Bilaspur, Dharmani said law enforcing agencies should act sternly against mining and drug mafia. He said there were regular reports of illegal mining and drug peddling in the area.

Dharmani added that it was unfortunate that government officials of several departments could not reach many villages, thus depriving the people from availing benefits of the government schemes.

The minister said the Horticulture Department should develop nurseries of fruit plants according to local climate, so that farmers could be motivated towards orchards.