Centre Sanctions Rs. 139.10 crore for Water Supply Schemes

Mandi Member Parliament Mrs Pratibha Singh  had taken proposals for sanction of various water supply schemes of mandi parliamentary constituency and following her persistent request , ministry of urban development govt of india has sanctioned 4 water supply projects amounting to Rs 139.10 crore for mandi parliamentary constituency .

Mrs Pratibha Singh M P told that centre has sanctioned  funds for manali water supply scheme(15.04 crore),kullu water supply scheme(22.74 crore), mandi water supply scheme(82.18 crore) and rampur water supply scheme (19.14 crore)

Mrs Pratibha Singh M P thanked the union urban development minister Sh Kamal Nath for sanctioning the mega water supply projects to the state and also asked state executive agencies for speedy execution of these schemes.

State Government Committed for Development Areas: CM

Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh said that the State Government was committed for uniform and balanced development of the State and special emphasis was being given for tribal areas so as to bring them in main stream. He was addressing a public meeting at Udaipur in Lahaul & Spiti district today. 

Earlier he paid obeisance in Mata Mrikula Devi temple, Udaipur. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh said that the State Government had allocated Rs. 369 crores under Tribal Sub-Plan for the year 2013-14, which was 11 per cent higher than the previous year. Total budget of Rs. 764 crores have been allocated including Non-Plan allocations to ensure speedy development of tribal areas. He said that Rs. 3.60 crore would be spent on roads, bridges and buildings in Lahaul Division during current fiscal. Apart from it Rs. 25 lakh would be spent on metaling and tarring under NABARAD, he added. 

Chief Minister said that the State Government had provided free travel facility in HRTC buses to all the students studying in Government schools from their homes to school and back and free school uniforms would be provided to all the students studying in Government schools under ‘Mahatma Gandhi Vardi Yojna’. He said that Rs. 41 lakh were being spent for qualitative improvement in education and technical education in the Lahaul valley. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh said that the State Government had enhanced the Social Security Pension from Rs. 450 to Rs. 500 per month and senior citizens above 80 years would be given social security pension of Rs. 1000 per month. He said that Rs. 88 lakh had been allocated to provide social security pension in Lahaul valley during current fiscal year. 

He said that Rs. 1.73 crore had been allocated for agriculture sector in Lahaul valley under Tribal Sub-Plan. Besides, Rs. 46 lakh were being spent to provide subsidized seeds, fertilizers and pesticides under Special Central Assistance. He said that Rs. 10 lakh were being spent under National Agriculture Development Scheme while 44.36 lakh would be spent under ‘Kisan Bagwan Samridhi Yojna’. He said that agriculturists of Lahaul valley were being provided subsidized potato and pea seeds. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh said that there was no dearth of money for the development of tribal areas and targets were being set for the officers to ensure proper utilization of funds. He took strict notice of slow pace of certain development schemes in Lahaul valley and said strict action would be taken against the concerned officers. He said that contractors who do not complete their assigned work in stipulated time would be blacklisted. He directed the officers to ensure the completion of construction work of Udaipur stadium before winters. 

Chief Minister said that the transfers of Government officers and employees would not be cancelled in tribal areas and they have to join their duties otherwise their promotions would be affected. He said that vacant posts in various departments such as education and health etc. would be filled up on priority basis in Lahaul valley. He said that demand of opening Sub-BDO office at Udaipur would be considered sympathetically. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh said that appropriate funds would be provided to mitigate the damages occurred in Mayad valley due to natural calamity. He also announced Rs. 10 lakh for setting up a span at Karpat village to facilitate the farmers to send their products to the markets. He said that interests of local people would be safe guarded while constructing the power projects in the tribal areas. 

Later, while addressing a public meeting at Keylong, Chief Minister said that the UPA Government had brought revolutionary Food Security Act to provide food security to the people. He said that it would benefit about 37 lakh people in the State who would get three kgs wheat at Rs. two per kg and two kg rice at Rs. 3 per kg. while the families not covered under this Act would continue to get subsidized ration i.e. three pulses, two edible oils, sugar, rice, flour and iodized salt on previous pattern. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh said that people of the State should welcome setting up of hydel projects as they benefit not only the State but also the country, as power was must for development. He said that large number of people were displaced due to construction of Bhakra and Pong Dam while least were affected due to 1500 MW Nathpa Jhakri Project. He said that the Government would allow only run of river projects as they affect minimum population. He assured that the affected people would be given proper compensation in these projects. He said that projects upto 5 MW would be given only to Himachalis and preference would be given to them upto 25 MW projects so that people of State come forward in this sector.

Chief Minister said that the Government would provide relief of Rs. 86 lakh to the Lahaul Potato Society which suffered huge losses due to rottening of 21,667 bags of potatoes in the year 2011-12. He said that if there were enough money available in this budget the same would be released this year otherwise it would be provided in two instalments. 

Shri Virbhadra Singh announced to upgrade Government High Schools Gosal and Chimrat to Government Senior Secondary Schools. 

Member Parliament Smt. Pratibha Singh said that she was striving hard to ensure the speedy development of Lahaul-Spiti alongwith other areas of Mandi Parliamentary Constituency. She also expressed her gratitude for providing massive mandate to ensure her victory in recent held by-elections. 

MLA Shri Ravi Thakur welcomed the Chief Minister and detailed about the various development activities being carried out in Lahaul valley. He also put forth the various demands of the area. 

Former MLA Shri Raghuvir Singh Thakur, Tribal Advisory Committee Member Shri Pyaray Lal, Panchayat Pradhan Shri Shamsher Singh, Congress leader Shri Jai Ram, Shri Sansar Chand and President District Youth Congress Shri Deepak Thakur also spoke on the occasion. President Block Congress Udaipur Shri Dalip Bodh presented vote of thanks at Udaipur.

While at Keylong MLA Shri Ravi Thakur, former MLA Shri Raghuvir Singh Thakur, President Block Samiti Shri Norbo Pans, Tribal Advisory Council Member Shri Nabag Bodh and President Mahila Congress Ms. Shashi Kiran also spoke. 

Forest Minister Shri Thakur Singh Bharmouri, Advisor to Chief Minister Shri T.G. Negi, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister & Tribal Development Shri V.C. Pharka, DC Lahaul-Spiti Shri Beer Singh Thakur, SP Shri Shiv Kumar and prominent persons were present on the occasion. 

Pratibha Singh urges Centre Government to start MBBS classes in ESI Medical College

Member of Parliament Mrs Pratibha Singh met Union Labour and Employment Minister Shri Sis Ram Ola in New Delhi and requested him to start MBBS classes at ESI Medical College and Hospital Ner Chowk from academic year 2014-15.

She requested him to provide liberal funds for infrastructure development of Rs. 1000 crore ESI Medical College and Hospital at Ner Chowk, Mandi. She requested him to start admissions for 100 seats of MBBS course from next academic year and offered attachment of 300 bedded Zonal Hospital Mandi for clinical facilities till the construction work on ESI Medical College and Hospital is not completed. She told that the State Government is willing to sign Memorandum of Understanding with Union Ministry on this issue under which the ESI Medical College and Hospital can utilize all the equipments, machinery, manpower and infrastructure of Zonal Hospital Mandi for academic purpose for facilitating the study of medical students till such facilities are not created in ESI Medical College and Hospital at Ner Chowk.

Pratibha Singh seeks liberal funding for transport infrastructure projects

A high level delegation of Mandi Parliamentary constituency under the leadership of Smt. Pratibha Singh, Member of Parliament called on Union Road Transport and Highway Minister, Shri Oscar Fernandes at New Delhi. The delegation requested him to provide liberal funding for various transport infrastructure projects in Himachal Pradesh.

Smt. Pratibha Singh requested the Union Minister that entire stretch of 4-lane road on National Highway-21 from Kiratpur to Ner Chowk should be constructed as 45 meters wide. She said the Ministry had decided to construct 24 mts wide road between Naulakha to Dadaur on around 4.71 km stretch while the rest of the stretch on this National Highway would be constructed 45 mts wide. She urged the Minister to sanction funds for bye-pass from Naulakha to Dadaur to avoid any displacement of local residents and added that the road stretch from Naulakha to Dadaur could also be constructed 45 mts wide once the bye pass was sanctioned.

Member of Parliament requested the Union Minister to sanction funds for construction of modern bus stand and bridge at Manali. She also sought funds for Manali bye-pass to decongest the main tourist town and divert the heavy vehicles from the town. She said that it would also help in solving the traffic problem of this famous tourist town. 

Shri Oscar Fernandes assured the delegation that the Ministry would consider the proposal for construction of bye-passes on various stretches on NH-21 where department was facing problems in construction of 45 mts wide four lane road. He also assured that Ministry would provide liberal funding to all the road network projects of the State.

Today's Screenshot

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

Pratibha Singh calls on Union Defence Minister

Mrs Pratibha Singh, Member of Parliament met Union Defence Minister Shri A.K. Antony at New Delhi and requested him to intervene in land row between Steel Authority of India and Field Ordinance Depot Kandrori at the earliest so as the construction work on SAIL plant could be started at the earliest.

Mrs Pratibha Singh told the Union Defence Minister that Himachal Pradesh Government has allotted 16 acre land to Steel Authority of India for setting up Steel Processing Plant at Kandrori in Kangra District and SAIL has also started construction work on the plant. She told that Field Ordinance Depot Kandrori has now served notice to SAIL for violation of Government of India Notification for unauthorized/ illegal construction on notified land around the Ordinance Depot and told that proposed steel processing plant is outside the geographical limits of the notified area and does not violate the Government of India Notification.

She told the Union Minister that SAIL has already made substantial investment in the project which is in advance stage of commissioning. She told that the project will boost employment and economic activities in the region and further enhance industrial development of the area.

Union Defence Minister Shri A.K. Antony assured her that Ministry of defence will take appropriate action in this case at the earliest.

Pratibha Singh calls on Union Culture Minister

Mandi Member Parliament Smt. Pratibha Singh called on Union Culture Minister Smt. Chandresh Kumari at New Delhi and requested her to fund entire expenditure of the international fairs and festivals organised in the State.

Smt. Pratibha Singh demanded minimum grant of Rs one crore to each international fair organised by State Government as international Minjar fair Chamba, international Kullu Dussehra, international Lavi fair Rampur, international Shivratri festival Mandi and Summer festival Shimla. She told that all these fairs and festivals are historical festival having rich cultural traditions and Union Culture Ministry should providing full expenditures to the State Government for organising these festivals to promote and preserve the rich cultural traditions of the hills. She also demanded grant of Rs 50 lakh to each State level and district level fairs and festivals so as local artists and folk singers are promoted through these festivals.

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.

Pratibha Singh urges to provide Natural Gas on subsidized rates

Member of Parliament Smt. Pratibha Singh called on Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri M. Veerappa Moily in New Delhi and requested him to provide natural gas on subsidized rates to the Himachal Pradesh for meeting its requirements in power generation, CNG, domestic gas and other industrial purposes.
She requested him to formulate Government's Gas Pricing Policy for providing cheap gas to Hilly States to lessen the dependence of local population on forests and provide cheap gas cylinders to common citizens to save the forests and environment of the region. Smt. Pratibha Singh said that price of domestically produced gas should not be left to market forces and adequate gas should be made available to the State Government at reasonable rates to meet the entire requirements of the State and said supply price of gas for power generation projects for the State should be lower.

Smt. Pratibha Singh told that the State Government is exploring the possibility of introducing CNG-run buses in plain areas of Una, Kangra and Hamirpur districts and requested the Union Minister to supply cheap CNG fuel to the State to run clean fuel buses in the lower areas of the State. She requested to provide CNG filling facility at all petrol pumps in lower areas of the State so as to promote use of clean fuel in commercial vehicles. She also urged for introduction of CNG-run buses/tempos/taxis in the State on the pattern of National Capital Delhi so as to minimise the transportation cost, and to control pollution caused by diesel/petrol vehicles. She requested for supply of piped LPG gas to the Shimla, Mandi, Kullu Manali, Dharamshala and Rampur towns for facilitating the LPG consumers .She also requested for adequate supply of kerosene oil to meet the fuel demands of rural areas for domestic use. 
The Petroleum Minister appreciated the State government’s plan to introduce CNG buses in Himachal Pradesh and told that the Centre would consider the proposal in positive spirit and direct the authorities to work in time-bound manner on this proposal.

Pratibha Singh urges to sanction funds for Photovoltaic Solar Power Plants

Member of Parliament Mrs Pratibha Singh called on Shri Farooq Abdullah Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy in New Delhi and requested him to sanction funds for Photovoltaic Solar Power Plants for the State Government Secretariat building, Shimla and famous Ridge Maidan to promote clean energy in the State Capital.

Mrs Pratibha Singh said that the State Government was focusing on Green Sources of energy and has sent proposals for meeting the power requirements from solar energy which is regarded as the most non-polluting source of energy.

Member of Parliament told that the State Government agency HIMURJA which is promoting the use of non-conventional energy has sent a proposal for installing 100 Kwp Photovoltaic Power Plant at the State Government Secretariat, Shimla and 20 Kwp capacity Photovoltaic Solar Plant for Ridge Maidan, Shimla. She told him that Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of both of the solar plants have been sent to Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and requested him to sanction adequate funds for commissioning the plants.

Mrs Pratibha Singh said that 100 kilo watt solar plant would be directly connected to the main secretariat grid to provide its power needs from solar energy which would also help the Government to save electricity bill. She told that entire lighting system of Ridge Maidan would also be connected with solar plant. Once installed and proven efficient, the Government would explore possibilities of adding such more non-polluting plants at HIPA, Mashobra and Panchayat Bhawan Shimla for which DPRs of 100 kwp and 15kwp have already been prepared under Shimla Solar City Programme.

Mrs Pratibha Singh urged for sanction of funds for 150 kwp Solar Power Plant at Pin Valley Kaza and 500 kwp Solar Power Plant for REE village in Bilaspur. She demanded 2000 SPV Home Lighting System for slum areas in Shimla and 5000 SPV lanterns for beneficiaries in Shimla town.

She requested the Union Minister to sanction 20,000 SPV Lanterns and 20,000 SPV home lights for flood affected areas of Kinnaur on the pattern of Uttrakhand and told that electricity has not been restored completely in many villages due to recent flash floods and added that the areas experiences heavy snowfall in winters which leads to disruption in power supply time and again in entire area and requested to provide solar power systems to provide regular clean energy in entire tribal areas. She also demanded 5000 SPV Home Lighting System for remote and backward areas like Dodra Kwar where transmission lines were snapped in winters during heavy snow fall.

She told that HIMURJA has prepared a master plan for implementation of the Union Government-sponsored Solar City Project, for which the MNRE had selected the Shimla among 50 cities across the country. Under the project, the Union Government will provide 90% subsidy on renewable energy projects while 10% is to be borne by the concerned beneficiaries to reduce at least 10% of the projected demand of conventional energy through renewable energy. Through an awareness campaign, the project would promote solar devices such as photovoltaic systems, solar water heating, cooking, steam generating and air-conditioning systems, she added.

HP seeks Rs. 500 crore for construction of motorable tunnels

Member Parliament Mrs Pratibha Singh called on Union Finance Minister Sh P. Chidambaram in New Delhi and requested him to provide multilateral funding of Rs 500 crore for construction of motorable tunnels in the State.

She told him that the main source of transportation in the State was road network and the tunnels were the only medium to reduce the distances between places. She told that State Government has prepared the DPRs for four tunnels in Shimla town for decongesting the traffic from main roads which experiences heavy vehicle rush through out the day. She told that State Government has prepared DPRs for construction of motorable tunnels from lift to Lakkar Bazar(681.25 mts), Lift to Himfed petrol pump(1134.92 mts), Himfed petrol pump to IGMC (890 mts), and Sanjauli to Dhalli (147.61 mts) and added that private parties are not interested to construct these tunnels under PPP mode because of financial un-viability. She requested him to arrange funding to these tunnels from some multi--lateral funding agency.

She also requested him to arrange funding for tunnels between Chamunda to Holi, Karsehar to Telang and under Jalori Pass to reduce the distance and provide all weather travel facilities to remote and backward areas residents throughout the year .

Mrs Pratibha Singh requested the Union Finance Ministry to provide funding for upgradation and modernization of Shimla, Kangra and Kullu airports in the state to facilitate the landing of bigger aircraft and also night landing facilities to promote tourism in the State. She requested for providing central funding in the ratio of 90:10 for all centrally sponsored schemes in the State on the pattern of North Eastern States due to similar topography, geography and other working conditions. She requested to declare the Ghanauli--Baddi -Kalka and Amb-Paonta--Dehradun railway lines as project of National Importance and provide hundred percent central funding for construction of these railway projects. She also requested that construction work on Bhanupalli--Bilaspur--Beri Broad Gauge railway line should be expedited as per the cost sharing agreement held on august 2007 in PMO in the central state ratio of 75:25 of fixed cost of Rs 1046 crore and requested that the enhancement of the project cost due to delay by railway should be met by providing additionality by Finance Ministry and Planning Commission. She also requested to enhancement in Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna to Rs 150 crore keeping in view of the expansion in the agriculture activities in the state and also requested special central assistance of Rs 1000 crore to the State Government during current financial year .

Mrs Pratibha Singh demanded special financial package of Rs 7565 crore to the state to fill the gap left by 13th Finance Commission in assessing the committed liabilities of the State. She told that the gap of salary, pension and interest has been estimated at Rs 3522 crore during the year 2012-13 which will further increase to Rs 4043 crore in the year 2013-14 and requested to provide financial package to fill the gap . 

Himachal seeks Rs.62 crore for irrigation project

New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh MP Pratibha Singh Saturday called on Water Resources Minister Harish Rawat here and sought timely release of over Rs.62 crore due to the state for an irrigation project.



via Yahoo News http://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/himachal-seeks-rs-62-crore-irrigation-project-123123571.html

Himachal seeks Rs.62 crore for irrigation project

New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh MP Pratibha Singh Saturday called on Water Resources Minister Harish Rawat here and sought timely release of over Rs.62 crore due to the state for an irrigation project.



via Yahoo News http://my.news.yahoo.com/himachal-seeks-rs-62-crore-irrigation-project-121324363.html

Himachal MP seeks central industrial package for state

Himachal Pradesh MP Pratibha Singh Friday called on union minister Anand Sharma here and requested him to sanction a central industrial package for the state till 2020.



via Yahoo News http://www.sify.com/finance/himachal-mp-seeks-central-industrial-package-for-state-news-national-nhtrOtchcbf.html

Himachal MP seeks central industrial package for state

New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh MP Pratibha Singh Friday called on union minister Anand Sharma here and requested him to sanction a central industrial package for the state till 2020.



via Yahoo News http://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/himachal-mp-seeks-central-industrial-package-state-123011046.html

Himachal MP seeks central industrial package for state

New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh MP Pratibha Singh Friday called on union minister Anand Sharma here and requested him to sanction a central industrial package for the state till 2020.



via Yahoo News http://in.news.yahoo.com/himachal-mp-seeks-central-industrial-package-state-121333389.html

Himachal Pradesh Lok Sabha bypoll: Congress retains Mandi seat

Congress candidate Pratibha Singh today won the Mandi parliamentary bypoll with a margin of over 1.36 lakh votes, election officials said. Related Stories Now you can claim your provident funds online from first week of July Uttarakhand: weather department says it had urged govt to evacuate people Uttarakhand: Darryl Castelino, the air force officer who died in a chopper crash, to be buried ...



via Yahoo News http://ndtv.com.feedsportal.com/c/33805/f/606685/s/2dfce9f3/l/0L0Sndtv0N0Carticle0Cindia0Chimachal0Epradesh0Elok0Esabha0Ebypoll0Econgress0Eretains0Emandi0Eseat0E3860A0A4/story01.htm

Congress retains Himachal Lok Sabha seat

Shimla, June 30 (IANS) Congress candidate Pratibha Singh Sunday won the Mandi parliamentary bypoll with a margin of over 1.36 lakh votes, election officials said here.



via Yahoo News http://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/congress-retains-himachal-lok-sabha-seat-071329069.html

Congress leading in Himachal Lok Sabha bypoll

Shimla, June 30 (IANS) Congress candidate Pratibha Singh was leading with a margin of over 100,000 votes out of around 400,000 votes counted before noon in the Mandi parliamentary bypoll, election officials said here Sunday.



via Yahoo News http://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/congress-leading-himachal-lok-sabha-bypoll-051612789.html

Sukh Ram to campaign for Virbhadra's wife

Mandi (Himachal Pradesh), May 30 (IANS) Former telecom minister Sukh Ram will campaign for Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh's wife Pratibha Singh, the Congress candidate for the June 23 Lok Sabha by-poll from Mandi constituency in Himachal Pradesh, the party said Thursday.



via Yahoo News http://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/sukh-ram-campaign-virbhadras-wife-125731018.html