IN Brief

ALSO IN THE ASSEMBLY
‘HP will be country’s model for PES,carbon credits’
Forest minister J P Nadda claimed that Himachal Pradesh was significantly moving forward to become the country’s model state for new initiatives on forestry issues like payment of environment services (PES) and carbon credits. Replying to a question asked by Congress leader Gangu Ram Musafir on the benefits,if any,achieved by the government out of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal’s recent visit to Costa Rica,Nadda said: “It was the desire of the World Bank to give Himachal exposure to the works done by Costa Rica and also explore opportunities of similar experience in Himachal. The visit of the delegation will surely have an impact in Himachal.”

Rationalisation of wildlife sanctuaries
In reply to a question of Kaul Singh Thakur (Cong),Nadda said the state government had finalised the draft on de-notification of wildlife sanctuaries besides raising the number of national parks from two to five and carving out three conservation reserves. He said the government has filed an application in the Supreme Court asking for early hearing to get its seal on the proposals so that the local inhabitants in the sanctuary areas,facing problems,get an early relief. In all,767 villages and a population of one lakh will be taken out of the wildlife sanctuaries.

Rural electrification scheme
Replying to a question asked by Kuldeep Pathania (Cong) on Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Viidyut Yojana,Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said the government had spent Rs 55 crore during the year to provide electricity connections to BPL families. He said the left-over families would be covered by the state electricity board. When asked about the quality of work being done by the contractors,Dhumal assured that there was a provision of third party inspections.

Don’t ridicule awards: CM
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal took exception to the remarks of Kaul Singh Thakur (Congress) in the House,ridiculing the awards conferred to the state by Delhi-based media groups for best performance in the social sectors,new investments and different fields of development. “These are based on independent field surveys by the media groups and not in lieu of advertisements,” he clarified.