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Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister has urged the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh to give special attention for expansion of rail network in the State as even after 64 years of independence, only 44 Kms. of rail line has been laid in the state. Thus, virtual absence of rail network in the state, coupled with practically negligible air connectivity to the state has virtually reduced the state to the one of the least connected as far as rail and air connectivity were concerned, he added.
Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal in a letter written to the Prime Minister thanked him for inauguration of the Amb-Indora railway station on 6th July last by Minister of State for Railways. He said that this newly inaugurated 11.63 Km. Chururu-Talwada to Amb-Indora broad gauge line was the third block section on the 84 Km. Nangal to Talwara line. It has taken 37 years to lay 42 Km. from Nangal to Amb-Indora in three phases, He stated.
Chief Minister apprised the Prime Minister that because of the hilly terrain bigger air ports can not be constructed in the state and for accessing the far flung areas, helicopters was the only reliable and speediest modes of transportation. He said that North East and State of J&K are geographically similar to the state of Himachal Pradesh and Government of India, justifiably subsidies chopper services in these areas. He said that Himachal Pradesh Government cost has been making repeated pleas for the subsidized chopper services in the state but without any success. Even when the viability-gap funding for ensuring the high end tourists in heli taxis to the state, had been agreed upon by the Planning Commission in 2010, unfortunately this commitment of the Planning Commission was also not honored, CM added.
Chief Minister said that the repeated pleas of successive Governments for at least expediting the work on the railway projects, as per the then agreed upon terms and conditions have been ignored. The funding pattern agreed upon for Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri railway line on 8th August, 2007 has not been accepted and Govt. of India has gone back on its own commitment. He said that this issue was taken by him last in 9th January, 2011.
Prof. Dhumal reiterated that he has taken up the issue of rail network to Leh-Laddakh in February, 2008. After three years this network finds a mention only in the socially desirable networks in the country. He said that this proposed railway line because of its strategic importance can not be delayed any further. This needs to be taken up at the earliest so as to enhance the preparedness of our country. He said that China has already established a vast network of rail network apart from the advanced air connectivity in the adjoining disputed area of Tibet.
Chief Minister said that the state of Himachal Pradesh had been the beneficiary of a Special Industries Package, apart from other states. This package was to last till March, 2013. Industrialization in the state was just taking shape when in between the concessions were first curtailed till 2007 and finally terminated in March, 2010. This was perhaps the first instance when Government of India itself reduced the period of concession announced by it.
He said that Minister of State for Railway’s during his inaugural speech on the occasion of inauguration of Amb-Indora railway line has reiterated the flawed stand of Government of India and has asked the state government to ensure 50% contribution in the rail projects which was simply unacceptable.
Prof. Dhumal said that the state of Himachal Pradesh is one of the most peaceful states in the country. The geographical bounty and forest wealth of the State serves the nation more than the State of Himachal Pradesh, Govt. of India hardly compensates the state for its conservation efforts. In the absence of any industrialization worth the name and which was further thwarted recently by the premature withdrawal of Industrial package, serving the nation in the Army was the only option for the youth of the State. With the introduction of male-recruitable population formulae, this has severely reduced the intake by the army, he added.
Chief Minister said that removal of regional disparities is one of the constitutional obligations of Government of India. Similarly situated states should be similarly treated. He said that geographically similar states of North East and J&K have been accorded preferential treatment in by providing Subsidized chopper services provided by GOI to North east states. Continuation of Industrial package to J&K, Prime Minister only a few days ago announced a special package of Rs. 1000 crores for training the youth in the state an d railway line with in the state of J&K has been executed only by Government of India.
Prof. Dhumal said that the only commonality between the states of North east and J&K is the law and order situation and predominant fissiparous tendencies. The helping hand of Government of India, it appears is there to help only those states which are in a state of continuous boil. He said that people of Himachal Pradesh did not grudge the legitimate help to any of the states, people of this peaceful state may not draw conclusions that peace only acts as a hindrance in getting the legitimate dues from Government of India.
Chief Minister hoped that Government of India would not like this to happen and redress the issues of rail network as per the agreed upon terms and conditions, cheap air connectivity and restoration of Industrial package at par with other similarly situated states, at the earliest.
