Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

PM announces assistance to Himachal Pradesh

The Prime Minister addressed the press at Shimla after the Power Secretraies meeting and a meeting with the Himachal cabinet. The Prime Minister announced some central initiatives for the state in his opening remarks at the press conference. The initiatives are as follows -

A. RAILWAYS

1.Bhanupali to Bilaspur (110 kms.) - will take it up with Railways

2.Nangal to Talwara - Construction will be speeded up and completed by 2008. State Government must acquire land in time.

3.Chandigarh - Baddi - Survey will be completed by December 2005

4.Inland Container Depot - Baddi - CONCOR is being asked to examine the feasibility and the Centre will take a sympathetic view.

B. H.R.D.

1.Grant for infrastructure upgradation of 3 Universities - Rs. 20 crores will be provided for this purpose

C. DRINKING WATER

-Special Project will be taken up under Bharat Nirman to achieve Universal Coverage by 2007 to cover 6,000 partially covered habitations. Will cost approx. Rs.500 crores.

D. ROAD CONNECTIVITY

-Special Assistance of Rs.200 crores will be provided under PMGSY to cover 410 panchayats of approx. 250 population.

E. AIRPORTS

1.Kangra Airport - Extension of runway by 400 ft. will accommodate 45 seater ATR aircraft.State Govt. must divert a road which willo cut the runway.

2.Kullu Airport - Runway being extended Communication equipment will be installed Deccan Airways will commence flights from 3rd week of June

3.Helicopters - Viability gap funding of upto Rs.1 crore per helicopter will be provided for procuring helicopters.

F. TOURISM

-All possible assistance will be given for promotion of tourism at 8-10 designated centers.

G. PLAN

-Special Plan Assistance of Rs.400 crores for 2005-06 will be untied

H. POWER

-Himachal Pradesh's equity in NHPC projects can be enhanced from 25% to 30%.This will increase benefits to the State.

I. DOORDARSHAN - 20,000 Set-top DTH boxes will be provided FREE to the two remote districts of Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur.

J. Financial Restructuring - HP will be supported with a Structural Adjustment Facility loan to reduce its debt.

K. Irrigation:If the State sends proposals for gravity irrigation in remote areas, Government of India will examine this favorably.