Himachal proposes annual plan of Rs 6,300 crore for infrastructural development

Shimla, February 12: In a bid to have whopping infrastructural development in Himachal Pradesh, a state annual plan of Rs 6,300 crore has been proposed for the year 2018-19 with an increase of Rs 600 crore the Rs 5,700 crore for the current fiscal. This was announced by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding a meeting of legislators here to finalize priorities of the 2017-18 budget on Monday.

 

During the meeting, CM Jai Ram Thakur said it was an increase of 10.51 percent, which was more than the state's growth rate of 6.8 percent in the first three quarters of 2017-18. The CM also announced the increase in implementing works of MLA priorities under NABARD through Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). The MLAs can forward their recommendations for getting works done by PWD and IPH departments up to Rs. 90 crore. This ceiling was Rs. 80 crore earlier.

The Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sanctioning an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) facility in Bilaspur at a cost of Rs 1,351 crore. The institute will consist of a hospital with a capacity of 750 beds and trauma centre facilities.

He said that the process of hiring consultancy services for preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of 69 National Highways as sanctioned by the Union Ministry of Road Surface Transport would be completed by 31st March this year and gave appropriate directions. CM further directed all the departments to take suitable steps to ensure implementation of centrally sponsored schemes.

On this occasion, CM Jai Ram Thakur said that the improvement in air connectivity and strengthening of a road network in the State would help in promoting tourism. “The issue pertaining to the running of Sea Planes has also been taken up with the Union Government,” he added.

He said, “The Government was committed for socio-economic uplift people of the State and believes in 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas',” adding that the government intends to work on the lines of sustainable development goals framework and achieve the development targets by 2022.

CM stressed upon quality improvement in education to take measures of creating more opportunities of employment and self-employment. He also stressed the need for organic natural farming so that the farmers and horticulturists could be benefitted of the schemes. Importantly, Tourism, horticulture and hydropower generation are major contributors to the state's economic development.