Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said that he has demanded setting up of new rail projects, especially in its industrial belt of Baddi-Barotiwala, besides expediting ongoing rail projects.
He apprised the press that he met Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal during his Delhi visit and apprised him about adequate funding for ongoing projects. He said that the issue of connecting industrial township of Baddi with broad-gauge railway line and extending proposed metro rail network in Chandigarh up to Baddi was also taken up.
Chief Minister added that, he had also discussed the delay in completion of the Nangal-Talwara and Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri rail lines with Railway Minister.
In the press conference Virbhadra Singh accused previous Govt for putting states finances in shambles. He said that the earlier government had spent like there was no tomorrow. He said that even the central government is aware about state’s financial condition and without their help it would be difficult to pull through.
Virbhadra Singh said that Himachal Govt has presented its case for a financial package and the central government is viewing the case sympathetically, Singh claimed.
Virbhadra Singh also holds the previous government responsible for being unable to protect the industrial package for its allotted 10 year period. Singh said that his Govt has asked for restoring income tax and excise incentives to encourage setting up of industries in the hill state.
