Population norm for AMRUT projects in Himachal unsuitable: Sukhvinder Sukhu to Manohar Lal Khattar

Shimla, July 19

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today requested Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar at a meeting in Chandigarh to adopt distinct norms for projects under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transport (AMRUT) keeping in view the difficult terrain and topography of the state.

Adopt ‘Sanjha Bazaar’ concept, cm advised

• The concept of ‘Sanjha Bazaar’ should be explored in Himachal Pradesh so that self-help groups could sell their products at one place to earn their livelihood, said Union Minister ML Khattar
• Sukhu urged Khattar to allow one MW capacity solar power systems with battery backup for border areas like Spiti to mitigate hardships caused by snow and adverse weather
• Khattar requested to declare the clean cities of Himachal Pradesh as ‘Safai Mitra Surakshit Shehar’, which would help in getting additional funds from the Centre to enhance cleanliness efforts

Khattar said that a proposal for the development of a new township at Jathia Devi near Shimla had been received. Sukhu said that the projects under AMRUT were sanctioned on the basis of population and this criteria was not suitable for Himachal Pradesh and needed to be relaxed so that maximum benefits could be availed of the scheme.

Khattar assured Sukhu of all possible help and said that municipal corporations in the state should set up solid waste management plants because big projects were not feasible in Himachal. “The concept of ‘Sanjha Bazaar’ should be explored in Himachal Pradesh so that self-help groups could sell their products at one place to earn their livelihood,” he added. He suggested that Himachal should harness its hydroelectric power potential through its river waters.

Sukhu said, “The recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission should also be reviewed periodically as the project cost escalates over the period.” He urged the Central Government to amend the tender system, reducing the period from 60 days to 10 days to accelerate the pace of development works.

He also urged Khattar to allow one MW capacity solar power systems with battery backup for border areas like Spiti to mitigate the hardships caused by snow and adverse weather. He added that Rs 362 crore had been earmarked to ensure uninterrupted power supply in these areas.

Sukhu urged Khattar to declare the clean cities of Himachal Pradesh as ‘Safai Mitra Surakshit Shehar’, which would help in getting additional funds from the Central Government to enhance cleanliness efforts.

Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Satinder Pal Singh, Director AMRUT Gurjeet Singh Dhillon, Principal Secretary, Urban Development, Devesh Kumar, Director Gopal Chand and other senior officers of the ministry and the state government attended the meeting.