Constitutional positions at stake, says Mamata Banerjee

Claiming Constitutional positions "are at stake", West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today blasted the Modi government for CBI raids at the residence of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and wondered what would happen if a CM orders raids at the house of Prime Minister.

Addressing a Chief Ministers' conclave organised by the Delhi Government, Banerjee made a stinging attack on the Modi dispensation, accusing it of running "parallel governments" in states through governors and "turning everything into communal".

"Today you conduct raids in the residence of Chief Ministers. But tomorrow if a chief minister raids the residence of Prime Minister? All the constitutional positions are at stake. We have never seen such things (raids) happen at the houses of President, PM, CM, judges, newspaper editors. There should be ethics. They have no such ethics," she said.

The CBI had on Saturday conducted searches at 13 places, including Singh's residences in Shimla and here, on the day of his daughter's wedding, in connection with a disproportionate assets case.


source: EconomicTimes

Virbhadra advocates creation of Permanent Regional Council for Hilly States in Niti Aayog

Virbhadra Singh, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh has made valuable suggestions to make the National Institution for Transforming India-NITI Aayog, more relevant in the present perspective and categorically, advocated for establishment of Permanent Regional Council and creation of a separate Hill Division for Hilly States and Special Category States to cater to the aspirations of the people of these States. He also suggested that the proposed Hill Division in the NITI Aayog could act as a permanent secretariat for this Regional Council.

The Chief Minister was expressing his views in the maiden meeting of Governing Council of NITI Aayog held here at 7- Race Course in New Delhi today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the meeting and Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Union Ministers, Chief Ministers of various States and Lt. Governors of Union Territories participated. The main objective of this meeting was to give proper shape to this newly constituted Institution in place of Planning Commission and also take views on different developmental aspects and schemes from important stake-holders of the Country.

Expressing his views on various agenda items, the Chief Minister suggested that there should also be the representation from the States by rotation in the Executive Body of the NITI Aayog, irrespective of political party in the power in the States. He also stressed that the resource allocation for financing the Annual Plans in the shape of Special Central Assistance and Special Plan Assistance should continue to flow to the Hill States, keeping in view the peculiar challenges prevailing in these States. He also suggested that the process of consultation between the Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog and Chief Ministers as well as between the CEO of NITI Aayog and Chief Secretaries should continue for finalization of Annual Plans.

Projecting his vision on developmental priorities particularly on creation of job opportunities and inclusive growth, the Chief Minister apprised that Himachal Pradesh has already launched various ambitious programmes and incentives for imparting vocational training to the youth in the State. Skill upgradation of youth should be given top priority in order to increase the employability and also to fulfill the needs of skilled manpower in the industrial sector, he added.

Stressing the need for creating enabling environment for industries,  Virbhadra Singh said that a definite mechanism should be evolved to clear projects in time-bound manner and apprised that Himachal Pradesh has already started clearance to projects through a single window system. He demanded that hilly and special category States should be provided special package of incentives to attract industries so that ‘Make in India’ programme may not remain confined to few already industrially advanced States. He also urged for liberal funding to protect handicraft sector in such States.

Virbhadra Singh raised the issue of delegation of power under the Forest Conservation Act in respect of hilly and special category States and suggested that roads should be covered in the list of permissible projects so as to ensure timely execution of various developmental projects. He also raised the issue of delegation of powers to issue environment clearances of hydro-power projects to the States to harness the clean energy expeditiously.

Appreciating the initiative- ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ of Central Government,  Virbhadra Singh said that there was a need to bring change in the attitude of the society to realize the objective of the scheme. He appraised the stake-holders that Himachal Pradesh has already launched series of programme to ensure proper education and health facilities to the girl child and said that the ‘Beti Hai Anmol’ scheme was being implemented successfully in the State. He also informed that the State Government was providing free education to the girls upto college level. Recently, World Bank in its report has also appreciated the efforts of the State Government in education, health, women empowerment and rural development in the State, he added.

Raising his concern over the curtailment in allocation of funds under MNREGA, the Chief Minister suggested that central funds for this scheme should come to the States as per their demand and apprised that Himachal Pradesh has a good track record in implementing the centrally sponsored schemes started for the benefits of the weaker sections of the society. He also raised the voice to give priority and adopt  liberal approach towards hilly states like Himachal Pradesh while sanctioning Central funds and projects keeping in view the tough topo-graphical conditions prevailing in the States, where developmental cost also remain high while executing the projects.

Virbhadra Singh also gave his suggestions on various other issues in environment, health, electricity and drinking water and assured the members of NITI Aayog that Himachal Pradesh would always be the pioneer State in implementing the ambitious projects in the State.

V.C.Pharka, the Additional Chief Secretary and  Srikant Baldi, the Principal Secretary (Finance) also participated in the meeting.

Traditional Himachali products in big demand

An estimated five lakh people have visited Himachal Pavilion in India International Trade Fair- 2013 being held in pragati maidan, New Delhi.

Shri R.R. Patyal, Director Pavilion, today said that the Himachali woolen products and organic products were in big demand in and these products were fetching attractive prices to the stall holders. The traditional Himachali woolen products are preferred by the people because of their quality standard and attractive designs of these products He said that modern safety measures had been taken in the pavilion besides providing basic amenities.

Virbhadra seeks expansion of Shimla, Kullu airports

Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh has raised the issue of expansion and modernization of all the airports in the State with the government of India. Chief Minister, who met Union Civil Aviation Minister Shri Ajit Singh in New Delhi today, raised this issue. 

He requested for increase in the length of Shimla airport runway so as to facilitate the landing of bigger aircraft in the state. He demanded to provide adequate budget to the airport authority for restoring the original length of the run way in time bound manner so as normal flights could be plied on the airport before the winter tourism season .

Chief Minister apprised the Union Minister that the length of the Shimla airport runway had been effectively reduced to 3800 feet from original runway length of 4100 feet due to soil erosion. He said that at present the ATR aircraft cannot take-off with full load. The airport authority of India had drawn up plan to restore the original length of the runway which would mitigate the load factor problem. He offered all infrastructural and other assistance from the state government in restoring the original length of the run way. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh demanded the expansion of the airport and increase in the length of the runway by at least 600 ft so that the bigger aircraft could land safely at Shimla airport.

Chief Minister further requested expansion of Kullu airport adding that the state government had conducted feasibility study through IIT, Roorkee in consultation with airport authority of India. It had concluded that the Kullu airport could be further expanded and the presentation of the study had already been sent to the civil aviation ministry. He requested for allocation of adequate funds for the expansion plan of the Kullu airport.

Shri Virbhadra Singh requested for setting up advance technology and equipments at Shimla, Kangra and Kullu airports so as the larger aircrafts could land during all weather conditions. He asked for time bound action in this regard keeping in view of safety and convenience of the air passengers.

He also requested the union minister for developing infrastructure facilities for landing of large bodied fixed wing aircraft in the state and said that state government had submitted a proposal to airport authority of India for conducting feasibility study for new airport at Kandaghat in Solan district. He requested the union minister to direct the airport authority of India for identifying the new locations for setting up big modern airport to meet the growing demand of air services in the state. 

Chief Minister also requested to start smaller aircraft services of Air India to the state on the pattern of the north eastern states and also provide cheap and reliable air services in the state .He demanded construction of airport at Kaza in Lahaul-Spiti district on the pattern of Leh airport and said that Kaza airport will be more viable both economically and technically in comparison to Leh airport. Besides it would also boost the tourism in entire tribal and snow bound areas of the state which had immense tourism potential.

Shri Ajit Singh said that top officials of the civil aviation ministry would hold detailed discussions with the Himachal government officials on the expansion and modernization of all the airports in the State. He said civil aviation ministry was giving top priority for ensuring reliable and economic air services in the state. The ministry was exploring the possibility of plying the private airlines services in the state which had smaller aircrafts and would work for lasting solution of the problem.

Himachali Celebrates ‘Sayar Utsav’ at Delhi

Revenue and Health Minister Thakur Kaul Singh said that the State Government would provide full support to people of Himachal Pradesh settled in various parts of the country to preserve rich cultural heritage and tradition of the State. Shri Kaul Singh was addressing the people on the occasion of annual ‘Sayar Utsav’ held at Shah Auditorium, New Delhi today. 

Revenue and Health Minister said that the State Government would prepare a ‘Data Bank’ of Himachalis so that they could be connected with the development in the State. He said that all the Himachali Organisations working in Metropolitan Cities in the country should establish better coordination as they were acting as ‘Brand Ambassador’ of the State. He also suggested them to establish ‘Himachal Bhawan’ so that they could get an appropriate place for celebrating various Himachali functions and festivals for better emotional integration. 

Thakur Kaul Singh suggested various Himachali organisations to print detailed directories so that in the present era of communication, instant contact could be established. He also advised them to go for social media like Facebook and Twitter for fast and easy coordination and contact.

Revenue and Health Minister said that the State Government has adopted the Election Manifesto of Congress Party as its policy document and all the commitments made in the manifesto would be fulfilled at the earliest. 

He also detailed various activities and developmental works initiated by the State Government.

He announced an amount of Rs. 11000 from his discretionary fund for students presenting cultural programme on the occasion.

Centre Government sanctions Vehicle Testing Station for the State

Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has sanctioned one additional Vehicle Testing Station for the State said Shri G.S. Bali, Transport Minister after meeting with Shri Oscar Fernandes, Union Minister of Road, Transport and Highways at Transport Bhawan in New Delhi today.

Shri G.S.Bali told that Centre Government had released a sum of Rs 14 crore for the Vehicle Testing Station already sanctioned for the State adding that one additional Vehicle Testing Station would meet the demand of people of lower areas of the State who had to travel a long distance for vehicle testing. He said that Central Government would also providing funding to the State Government for developing way side amenities which would benefit mainly the motorists and tourists who have to drive long distances in hills to reach the destinations.

Transport Minister said that Union Ministry had sanctioned additional 20 new ambulances to the State for providing medical facilities at National Highways and added that these new 20 ambulances would be integrated with National Ambulance Service to utilise them to the optimum level and increase their area of operations. He also demanded Heavy Duty Cranes and Forklift Cranes to lift the vehicles who met with accidents. He requested for providing four interceptors at Sirmour, Shimla, and Kangra and Mandi districts and also pleaded for crash barriers at National Highway 20 A in the State. He told that Union Ministry would release Rs. 12 crore under Central Road Fund for Nagrota Bagwan area of the Kangra district of the State.

Kewal Singh Pathania urges for special financial package

Kewal Singh Pathania, Vice Chairman, Himachal Pradesh State Forest Development Corporation called on Rahul Gandhi, Vice President, AICC at New Delhi. He apprised him about the losses caused to the State due to heavy rains and landslides during the Monsoon period and urged him to direct the concerned Ministries of Government of India for releasing the special financial package/grant on account of natural calamities.

Pathania told Gandhi that the State had experienced an unprecedented heavy rainfall which was 576 percent to 1358 percent above the normal from 15th to 17th June, 2013. As a result of this calamity, massive damage to private and public property had been reported. 50 persons had lost their lives and accumulated losses suffered by the State had been estimated as Rs.2852 crore, he added.

Pathania told him that the Central team on the request of State Government had visited the State especially in the Kinnaur district to assess the losses of lives and property. The special package/relief demanded by the State Government was still pending from the Government of India and major restoration works/infrastructure were still to be carried out, he added.

Vice Chairman requested Rahul Gandhi to provide special financial package/grant to the State at the earliest so that the appropriate relief could be provided to the sufferers.

Today's Screenshot

Pratibha Singh calls on Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh in New Delhi

Pratibha Singh takes Oath as Member of Parliament

Newly elected Member of Parliament from Mandi Constituency Mrs Pratibha Singh today took oath of office and secrecy as a Lok Sabha Member on the opening day of the Monsoon session of the Parliament.

She was accompanied by her son Sh Vikaramaditya Singh and daughter Miss Aprajita Kumari were seated in the special gallery on the occasion.

Advocate General Office made functional in New Delhi

The office of the Advocate General has been made functional at Himachal Bhawan in New Delhi.

The office is being headed by Additional Advocate General Shri Suryanarayan Singh, who is being assisted by Deputy Advocate General. The post of District Attorney and other Prosecution Directorate Staff has been withdrawn from Legal cell, New Delhi.