CM warns officials of stern action over tardy growth of Lahaul valley

Irked by tardy pace of development in tribal Lahual and Spiti district, Himachal chief minister Virnhadra Singh on Friday warned that stern action would be taken against the officers concerned.

Irked by tardy pace of development in tribal Lahual and Spiti district, Himachal chief minister Virnhadra Singh on Friday warned that stern action would be taken against the officers concerned.

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The chief minister, who was addressing a public meeting at Udaipur in Lahaul-Spiti district, said the state government has allocated `369 crore under the Tribal Sub-Plan for 2013-14, which was 11% higher than the previous year.

“A total budget of `764 crores has been allocated, including non-plan allocations to ensure speedy development of the tribal areas,” said Virbhadra, adding that `3.60 crore would be spent on roads, bridges and buildings in the Lahaul division during the current fiscal while `25 lakh would be spent on metalling and tarring of roads under National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

He further said `1.73 crore had been allocated for the agriculture sector in the Lahaul valley under the Tribal Sub-Plan. A “Besides, `46 lakh was being spent to provide subsidised seeds, fertilisers and pesticides under special central assistance,” said Virbhadra, adding that `10 lakh were being spent under the National Agriculture Development Scheme while `44.36 lakh would be spent under the Kisan Bagwan Samridhi Yojna in the district.

Virbhadra maintained that there was no dearth of money for the development of tribal areas, and targets were being set for the officers to ensure proper utilisation of funds.

He directed the officials concerned to ensure the completion of Udaipur stadium work before winters.