Ease norms for hill states, says minister

Tribune news Service

Shimla, June 11

Irrigation and Public Health Minister Mahender Singh Thakur today apprised the Centre about 25 per cent cut in funds imposed on Himachal Pradesh under National Rural Drinking Water Programme and demanded that ample funds be provided to Himachal under the programme.

Participating in the national level conference on rural drinking water supply and water resources conservation organised by the Ministry of Water Resources at New Delhi today, he informed that Himachal did not get any project out of the 99 projects proposed under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme in 2014-15.

He said that parameters for hill states should be relaxed as they cannot be equated with other states where cost of execution of projects was comparatively less. He also apprised about the unnecessary delays caused due to Forests Conservation Act, 1980 as most of the land in the state is forest land.

The IPH Minister said that interests of Himachal Pradesh were sacrificed in various development projects whether it was the share in electricity in the BBMB or compensation for Pong dam oustees.

He said that the state has sincerely contributed in the development of the country and is providing water to Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi and Chandigarh and contribution of Himachal Pradesh for green revolution in other states cannot be denied. He urged the Centre to protect the interests of the state and provide its due share.

He also suggested creation of National Water Supply and Irrigation Authority for better monitoring and implementation of projects.