A day after Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP)’s historic win in the assembly elections in four states, Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Friday met central leaders to discuss the state’s political scenario and various issues related to its development.
Thakur also discussed the much-awaited cabinet rejig and names of nominees for the Rajya Sabha seat that will fall vacant after the tenure of Congress’ Anand Sharma ends on March 14.
The chief minister met Union home minister Amit Shah at New Delhi and sought tribal status for Hatti community and tribal area tag for the Trans-Giri region which it inhabits in HP’s Sirmaur district.
He said the adjoining area of Jaunsar in Uttarakhand has already been declared as a tribal area. The declaration of the Trans-Giri region of Sirmaur district as a tribal area, Jai Ram said, is a very genuine demand of the people of the area as about population of three lakh, comprising 144 panchayats, will be benefitted.
The chief minister said this would not only ensure an additional and special budget for this area, but also meet the long-pending demand of the locals.
{{/usCountry}}The chief minister said this would not only ensure an additional and special budget for this area, but also meet the long-pending demand of the locals.
{{/usCountry}}Jai Ram also met Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and urged her to enhance the import duty on apples to benefit the apple growers of Himachal Pradesh.
He requested her to extend the Industrial Development Subsidy Scheme for two more years as well and added that the scheme is closing during the current year.
The chief minister also sought a special central assistance for the construction of airport in Mandi.
He detailed the Union minister about the focus on women empowerment schemes during the budget presented for the coming financial year.
Chief secretary Ram Subhag Singh gave valuable inputs about the state’s demands.
The finance minister assured Jai Ram of all possible help to the state.
Later in the day, Jai Ram met power minister RK Singh. He apprised the Union minister of Himachal’s progress towards becoming a green state soon.
The chief minister urged for the cooperation of the ministry for clearing the thermal power commitments of the state. Jai Ram said at present, the state is using only 2,000MW of thermal power whereas the remaining is green energy.
He said if the state receives needed cooperation then, HP will produce 100% green energy and will be the first in the country to achieve this feat.
He added that this will provide a competitive edge in the market as green products are very much in demand.
Jai Ram also apprised him of pending issues with BBMB and requested to resolve them soon.
The Union minister assured the HP chief minister of full cooperation.