Govt unable to give grants for works: BJP
The BJP today alleged that development activities in the state had come to a halt as the state government was unable to provide funds to match the grants being provided by the Union government for undertaking various works which have to be implemented with Centre-state funding.
The Una district BJP today organised a discussion on the Union budget at the party office here, where former minister Bikram Thakur, who is the organisational in-charge of Una district, and Una MLA Satpal Singh Satti were present, besides other district leadership of the BJP.
Speaking on the occasion, Bikram Thakur charged that the Congress government had brought the state to a financial crunch, leading to stalling of all development funds. He said the Union government has allocated Rs 11,806 crore to Himachal Pradesh in the budget to bring about a speedy development in all sectors, adding that from 2014 to 2024, the Narendra Modi-led government has allocated Rs 54,662 crores to Himachal Pradesh if the allocations of all 10 budgets are summed up.
Satpal Satti said the Centre is investing Rs 2,716 crore to strengthen the railways network in the state, adding that this amount will be spent on completing four major ongoing railways projects. He said presently, Rs 600 crore, which is the share of the state government in various Centre-state-funded projects, has not been released by the state, forcing delays in implementing the works.
Satti said several schemes under Jal Jeevan Mission also remain incomplete due to lack of state’s funding, adding that the state government has also failed to implement Smart City projects, road construction and many other schemes. He said the Union budget has released funds for strengthening AIIMS all across India, including AIIMS Bilaspur, adding that adequate funds are also provided for PGI Satellite hospital in Una, whose construction work is underway.
The BJP leader said the state government has yet to construct infrastructure for the Bulk Drug Park project in Haroli Assembly segment, which had been sanctioned by the Union government about three years ago. He said basic infrastructure including roads, power, drinking water and sewage for the Bulk Drug Park is to be provided by the state government, after which the Union government will fund setting up further infrastructure.
