Assembly in session: BJP govt signed MoUs for projects ignoring interest of state, says Himachal CM
Tribune News Service
Shimla, August 28
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today accused the previous BJP regime of failing to protect the interest of the state while signing MoUs for hydro and other projects.
Intervening in a query during the question hour in the Vidhan Sabha today, Sukhu said his government had decided to take forward the Bulk Drug Park even though reluctantly. “The previous BJP regime signed MoUs for Dhaula Sidh, Luhri and Sunni hydel power projects against the interest of the state. We have decided to execute the Bulk Drug Power from our own resources in the interest of the state,” he stated.
Sukhu said land, power and water would be provided to investors at a pittance.
Replying to a query by Shahpur MLA Kewal Pathania on Bulk Drug Park in Una, Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said 13 states took part in the bidding and the Bulk Drug Park was given to Himachal. “Though in the short term Himachal stands to lose but in the long term the state stands to gain in terms of GST and other taxes,” the minister said.
Chauhan said subsidised water, power and other concessions given to investors will be only for a period of 10 years following which market rate would be charged. “The completion target for the Rs 1923 crore Bulk Drug Park project fixed by Government of India is March 31, 2026 and we are aggressively working to meet this deadline,” he said.
He said that mandatory guidelines would be adhered to with complete transparency and yesterday only Rs 50 crore has been approved by the Chief Minister for the project. He said the MoU with reputed international companies had been signed in the UAE and Mumbai and the Cabinet on July 12, 2024 had decided to provide Rs 1,074.55 crore from its own exchequer for the project rather than depending on Central funding.
Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said it was due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Himachal got this prestigious project which will bring in the much needed revenue to the state.
Replying to a query by Vipin Parmar on merger of schools, Education Minister Rohit Thakur said the need of the hour is for qualitative improvement rather than further expansion of schools or other government institutions.
He said there had been a drastic decline in the enrolment in government schools in Himachal. “At one time of point Himachal was among the top in the education sector in the country, but in 2021, we have reached 21st rank with students of Class 8 having learning levels of Class II. We all must rise above political considerations to end this trend as opening institutions does not help win elections” he said.
Replying to a query by Bharmour MLA Janak Raj, the Chief Minister said the government would sympathetically consider the issue of giving jobs on compassionate grounds to eligible persons once the report of the Cabinet sub-committee was received.
Jai Ram Thakur said during the BJP regime more than 4,500 persons had been given jobs on compassionate grounds while the Congress regime had only given jobs to 180 persons.
Jobs on compassionate grounds
- The Chief Minister said the government would sympathetically consider the issue of giving jobs on compassionate grounds to eligible persons once the report of the Cabinet sub-committee was received.
- Jai Ram Thakur said during the BJP regime more than 4,500 persons had been given jobs on compassionate grounds while the Congress regime had only given jobs to 180 persons.
- Education Minister Rohit Thakur said the need of the hour was for qualitative improvement rather than further expansion of schools or other government institutions.
