Himachal gets major relief from Union government

CHANDIGARH: The Union government has agreed to allow Himachal Pradesh complete its developmental projects within three years instead of two years considering its difficult topography.
This was disclosed on Tuesday by Union planning minister Ashwani Kumar while talking to a select group of journalists.
The Union minister also allowed irrigation projects' cost to be doubled from Rs 1.5 lakh per hectare to Rs 3 lakh per hectare due to the topography of the state.
The issues were raised by the Himachal chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal during the meeting between the Union minister and the chief minister here on issues related to planning and development.
Kumar said the Union government has also sought a proposal of rail link between Bilaspur and Bhanupalli to consider extending support to the hill state. Financing of the state is an issue but the project is crucial for the development of tourism in the state. Himachal has been asking for a special grant for its green cover in the 13th finance commission arrangement.
The Union minister said the state needs to find out a way out to offer incentives to the industry after the withdrawal of tax concessions under a special area arrangement.
Kumar said Himachal has to further enhance its presence in the hydel power generation and high value tourism. Himachal is already attracting more than a crore of tourists but most of them are religious tourists with little spending power.