Himachal demands Rs.1000 crore for expansion of Kullu and Kangra airports
Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj while participating as representative of Chief Minister of HP, in the meetings of State Finance Ministers as well as GST Council held at New Delhi yesterday late evening, demanded Rs. 500 crore each for expansion and upgradation of Kullu and Kangra airports besides Rs. 426 crore for Shimla airport.
Suresh Bhardwaj also requested to raise the import duty of apples at least two times to protect the interests of local growers as Himachal apple is facing threat due to imported apple in the national market.He said that ropeways were effective alternative for addressing connectivity as well as traffic congestion issues in the state and requested for approving ropeways for connecting 283 left out villages under PMSGY-1 with 250 plus population which could not be connected by roads due to thick forest cover and environmental issues. He said that liberal funding may be provided to state by bringing it under Parvatmala Scheme being conceived by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways so that easy connectivity could be provided to remote areas and tourist destinations in a eco friendly manner. While discussing about Aspirational districts (Chamba) which NITI AAYOG is monitoring, He said that GoI should consider funding the projects for roads, irrigation and health sectors for backward districts so that basic developmental needs of these districts are met immediately and they are able to come out of the backward category.Principal Secretary Excise and Taxation Jagdish Sharma accompanied the Minister during the meeting.
READ ON APP