Is peace in HP a hindrance in getting legitimate dues? Dhumal asks PM

“It appears that the helping hand of the Centre is there for only those states which are in a state of continuous boil. The people of Himachal Pradesh do not grudge legitimate help given to any state,but it is feared that the people may draw conclusions that peace only acts as a hindrance in getting legitimate dues from the Centre. I think the Centre would not like this (situation like north east and J&K) to get the state’s legitimate issues redressed,” wrote Dhumal.

The chief minister also informed the Prime Minister that the Centre had gone back on its word to fund the Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri railway link — it was agreed that the project will be executed on a 75:25 basis. However,the PMO declined to intervene as the Railway Ministry asked for a share of the cost overruns from Rs 1,047 crore in 2007 to Rs 2,964 crores — an increase of 183 per cent.

“I have already conveyed that this proposal is not acceptable to the state. Being a special category state,it has limited resources to man its affairs. The state has been put in an extremely disadvantageous position by putting such a condition,especially when it has been asking for extending the railway line to Leh-Ladakh in view of the Chinese threat,” the letter added.

Dhumal also drew the attention of the Prime Minister regarding subsidised chopper services in the state on the pattern of north east states.