PM’s sojourn to HP proves a boon

Things were not the same for Vajpayee, who was on his first trip to the hills after becoming Prime Minister. Just after he landed at Kullu, Vajpayee announced Rs.100-crore special grant for the state. On arrival at Shimla to address a rally at The Ridge, he gave another instalment.

More than this, his assurance to advocate the cause of Himachal for allowing it to levy generation tax on the power produced from the rivers in its territory, has come as succour for for the state. The state had been fighting for it for the past seven years to seek Centre’s nod but even the bill passed by the state assembly, in this regard, was turned down last year.

People who listened to Vajpayee at The Ridge, went home greatly impressed. He spoke with logic and greater relevance for the nation as well as Himachal. “I have not come here as Prime Minister but as a tourist,” he remarked and went on to explain “ the manner in which Prime ministers are getting frequently changed, it is better to be here as tourist” To express his love for Himachal, PM said at Kullu, “Himachal is in my heart, in my poems and I too live in Himachal’s heart.” Vajpayee appreciated the “suggestion” by Dhumal and said. “There is a great scope for development in Himachal and I will make all-out effort to help the state.”

When Gujral had addressed a similar rally at The Ridge, at the invitation of Virbhadra Singh, he had pledged open support, endorsed the state’s claim under the Punjab Re-organisation Act and assured to end “injustices” done to the state. He also had said if the terrorist-prone states are getting help for restoration of peace, Himachal must get a bonus for maintaining peace. But his tall promises proved be lip service. Instead of helping Himachal, he became generous to Punjab with an eye on his own election from Jalandhar with the Akali support. At the time of Deve Gowda, the CM took his entire cabinet to Delhi and met the PM could understand the Himachal case. The worst ever set-back to to state came from Rao, who did not help his own Congress government by a single penny.