Virbhadra Singh

New Delhi: Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh called on Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda at New Delhi yesterday and urged him to intervene for early clearance of pending central sponsored projects of the State.

The Chief Minister raised the issue of pending Rs. 107 crore second installment of ambitious Rs. 922 crore Swan River Channelization Project of Una district. He urged Nadda to pursue the matter with Union Ministry of Water Resources so that work on this project could be accelerated.

The Chief Minister also raised issues of health sector and urged him to lay foundation stone of proposed AIIMS at Bilaspur so that work on this mega project could be started soon.

Virbhadra Singh also urged the Union Health Minister to release sanctioned Central assistance of Rs. 150 crore for Trauma Centre for IGMC, Shimla. He requested him to release an amount for three medical colleges being set up in Chamba, Hamirpur and Sirmaur districts so that work could be started soon.

The Chief Minister also discussed various projects of education, health and social services sectors and said that in view of tough topography of the State, the construction cost of the projects was escalated and State expected liberal central assistance to complete the projects. He urged him to intervene for liberal assistance in these projects.

He requested him to take steps for opening of sanctioned Indian Oil Depot at Una and also raised the issue of opening CSD Depot in the district.

Industries Minister Mukesh Agnihotri raised issue of extension of modern medical research unit set up at Haroli in Una district and said that it would benefit the people of the area immensely.

Union Health Minister assured the Chief Minister that their demands would be considered sympathetically and said that Central Government would provide liberal assistance for the development of the State.