State BJP has welcomed state Govt’s proposed demand for a Rs 7500 crore package for H.P. in lieu of financial losses incurred due to underestimation of committed liabilities by 13th Finance Commission. In a statement, state spokesperson of BJP, Dr Ashok Kapahtia said previous BJP Govt had been, time and again, raising the issue of step-motherly treatment being meted out to H.P. in this regard as well as with regard to railway and industrial package. Former chief minister P.K. Dhumal met Prime minister and Finance minister for this purpose but to no avail except lip-sympathy. Now, present Congress govt’s demand for special financial package against wrong recommendations of 13th finance commission vindicates BJP’s long standing demand for rectification, he said.
Dr. Ashok Kapahtia said the coming month will put to test the credibility of top Congress leadership as they have been making tall promises during Vidhan Sabha elections for liberal financial aid to H.P. BJP and people of H.P. will be keenly watching central railway and general budget for fulfillment of lofty promises made by none other than Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister and Rahul Gandhi, he commented. People would like to see sanctioning of Bhanupali-Bilaspur, Chandigarh –Baddi and Una-Talwara railway projects, to say the least.
BJP demands immediate release of Rs 4250 crores long overdue from BBMB as per Supreme Court order without any cuts. BJP also demands restoration of special Industrial Package and funding of central schemes on 90:10 % bases on the pattern of N-E states. He said that the credibility of Congress and UPA govt will severely erode in the eyes of common Himachalis if these genuine demands for smooth development of state are not met in this year’s Railway and Union Budget.
