Coordination with Centre will help protect state’s interest: Guv

Refusing to be drawn into any controversy over Centre not coming to the help of Himachal, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla today said it is only through good coordination between the two which will help protect the interest of the hill state.

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Talking to mediapersons here today on the occasion of completion of two years as Governor of Himachal, Shukla said there is no question of Centre not coming to the aid of the Himachal Government. “As a representative of the Centre and having assessed the Union Budget, I feel Himachal has been given ample funding by the Centre. Himachal should focus on providing its share in centrally funded projects like Central University, where Rs 250 crore state share is yet to be paid,” he said.

Shukla further said that all hill states have to only provide 20 per cent matching funds in all central schemes. “Centre has never denied Himachal its share. Himachal must seek its share from Centre through better coordination and ministers must meet the Union ministers with their demands for Himachal,” he said.

Responding to queries regarding the pending Rs 9,200 crore funds due to Himachal for the devastation caused in 2023 monsoons, the Governor said it is only through better coordination that such issues can be resolved. “The assessment of damages caused during the 2023 monsoons by the central team and the state government varied. So, maybe it is pending for that reason,” he said.

He emphasised that it is only through good coordination between Centre and state which will ensure progress of Himachal. There is no way the Centre can ignore Himachal, especially in a federal structure, when it comes to sectors like tourism promotion.

“I tried to share the grief of people by visiting the flood-affected areas in the 2023 monsoons and did not confine myself to Raj Bhawan. I went out and met people by keeping politics aside,” he said. Shukla said he has no doubt whatsoever that Centre will support Dev Bhoomi but any misunderstanding between the Centre and state must be resolved through dialogue.

Reacting to the issue of rising drug addiction in Himachal, Shukla said the situation was alarming and there should be a mass campaign against drugs only then the situation will improve. “It is not appropriate for me to comment on whether laws against drug menace must be made more stringent. But I am hopeful in the ensuing budget session, the state government will bring some legislation,” he said.

He said what is most unfortunate is that despite the family knowing that their son is into drugs, they choose to keep it under wraps in the name of family honour.