Will develop unexplored places like Chanshal, Churdhar: CM
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh today reiterated his government’s resolve to promote tourism in Kangra district, which had been declared tourism capital of the state.
Replying to a query by Dharamshala Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Sudhir Sharma and Shahpur MLA Kewal Pathania during question hour in the Vidhan Sabha, the Chief Minister said Rs 13 crore each had been provided for construction of heliports at Palampur and Rakkar.
Funds okayed for heliports
- The CM said Rs 13 crore each had been provided for construction of heliports at Palampur and Rakkar.
- Efforts are underway to expedite the setting up of the ~610 crore international zoo in Kangra.
- Budgetary provision of ~1,230 crore has been made for the expansion of Gaggal airport.
- The government will develop unexplored destinations like Chanshal in Rohru, Churdhar in Sirmaur, Sach Pass in Chamba and other areas.
The Chief Minister said efforts were underway to expedite the setting up of the Rs 610 crore international zoo in Kangra. Sukhu said a budgetary provision of Rs 1,230 crore had been made for the expansion of Gaggal airport in Kangra.
“Tourism is priority of our government and we will develop unexplored destinations like Chanshal in Rohru, Churdhar in Sirmaur, Sach Pass in Chamba and other areas,” he added.
“The allocation of Rs 1,000 crore by the 15th Finance Commission for Mandi airport has not been reflected anywhere by the Centre. The BJP regime provided only Rs 1 crore equity to Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the Rs 4,000 crore project Balh airport,” Chief Minister Sukhu said.
Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur said the announcement for declaring Dharamsala as tourism capital is namesake just to get political mileage and most schemes exist only on paper.
Replying to a query by Bharmour MLA Dr Janak Raj and Jhanduta MLA JR Katwal on industrial development, Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said 5,293 industrial units had been set in the state in the last one-and-a-half years.
“There are 100 units who have applied for transfer of lease, 80 to 100 have sought disconnection of power or have surrendered GST but these units are not closed,” said Chauhan on queries about how many industrial units had closed down.
Bikram Singh and Katwal said due to wrong policies by the state government exodus of industry is taking place.
“The Chief Minister has assured that industry in Himachal will be provided power at cheaper rates than Uttrakahand, Punjab and Haryana so that industry does not shift from here,” the minister said.
Replying to a query by Randhir Sharma on poor survival rate of plantation, the Chief Minister said that Mahila Mandals and panchayats will be involved to ensure better survival rate of plantation done by the forest department.