HP to harness hydel, tourism and industry to optimum: CM

Mandi, Mar 8 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today declared that despite financial restraints the BJP government would make all possible efforts to generate financial resources by harnessing potential of hydel power, tourism and industry on a war-footing.

Talking to newspersons here, the chief minister dismissed the apprehensions that cement plants would cause environment degradation and pollution and added that the latest anti-pollution devices did not create any pollution.

He lamented that gross injustice had been done with Himachal Pradesh at the time of reorganisation of states and the Central government had failed to safeguard the interests of the state when it was a union territory.

He said ''wrong policies'' of the Center were responsible for the current spate of inflation and unemployment causing frustration among the youths and lamented that ''there was not a ray of hope in the budget presented by the Union Finance Minister''.

He opined that waiving the loans of farmers was not a solution, and there was urgent need to take measures which would increase their income.

Replying to a question, the Chief Minister said setting up of a medical college at Mandi was not feasible due to financial restraints. Besides, the government was also opening private medical colleges at Hamirpur and Una.

He cautioned the people not to be ''mislead by the statements of Congress leaders'' adding that ''It would take several years if we decide to open medical college in the public sector.'' UNI XC AS JS1900