Congress accuses Centre of discriminating against Himachal

Shimla, February 19

The Congress today accused the Modi regime of punishing the people of Himachal for throwing the BJP out of power by capping the loan raising limit under externally aided projects, which was impacting the pace of development.

Participating in the debate on the Budget proposals presented by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in the Vidhan Sabha, Fatehpur MLA Bhawani Singh Pathania said such discriminatory attitude towards a Congress-ruled state was very unfortunate. He said with limited revenue generating areas and 79 per cent of the revenue receipts going towards meeting committed liabilities of salaries, pensions and loan repayment, the state requires liberal central funding.

He lamented that there was huge income disparity in the country and questions were being raised that if 80 crore people were beneficiaries of subsidised ration scheme, then is half of the population is still in the below poverty line (BPL) category.

He said with Himachal having limited avenues of revenue generation, CM Sukhu had listed several initiatives to generate the much needed revenue. “The ball has been set rolling for giving greater benefit to farmers as rate of milk procurement had been enhanced. The marketing chain will have to be strengthened for greater benefit to farmers,” he remarked.

He lauded the initiative of holding open auction of liquor vends to generate additional revenue. An attempt has been made to give benefit to the most marginalised sections of society be it daily wagers, MNREGA workers, farmers, employees, women and youth, he added.

Participating in the debate, Doon MLA Ram Kumar urged the government to simplify the procedure for land purchase as Section 118 of the Land reforms and Tenancy Act was proving to be a major hindrance. Nachan MLA Vinod Kumar targeted the government for changing the names of the schemes started by the previous BJP regime.