HP govt takes up traffic congestion issue with Haryana

Shimla, Sep 3 (UNI) The issue of traffic congestion on NH 22 and 21-A, which is causing problems to the people travelling to the hill state has been taken up with the Haryana government by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.

Replying to a supplementary querry during Question hour in the Assembly here today, the Chief Minister said he had taken up the matter with his counterpart Bhupinder Singh Hooda as portions of these two highways which are damaged, fall in Haryana state.

The highway linking Kalka-Parmanoo was damaged due to the recent rains and this was posing problems in the movement of vehicles, he said while replying to a supplementary raised by Congress members, Anil Kumar and Gangu Ram.

Assuring the House that the matter would be sorted out, the Chief Minister said Kalka-Shimla highway (NH-22) would be six laned and work was in progress on this project on the stretch falling in Haryana. He said the National Highway Authority of India was undertaking the project.

Mr Dhumal said Pinjore-Swarghat highway (NH-21) would be four laned and land for this was being acquired.

Replying to another question on violations of PDS norms, Civil and Supply Minster Ramesh Dhawal sid 8 people were arrested and a sum of Rs 6,38,182 was collected as fine in 10,309 raids conducted during last eight months to book violaters of the Essential Commodities Act.

Replying to a question by Rakesh Pathina (BJP), Mr Dhawal said he himself visited a number of shops, hotels and ration depots along with departmental officals. A number of reputed hotels were challaned for violating PDS norms by using domestic LPG cylinders for commerical purposes.

Replying to another querry, Health Minister Rajiv Bindal informed the House that 236 Rogi Kalayan Societies were being reconstituted in the state. He said through this scheme the state has appointed 129 doctors and their salaries had been fixed as per the geographical strata of their postings.

Mr Bindal said the government had increased the salary of the doctors under the scheme so as to attract them to serve in rural and tirbal areas. The Minister told the House that a doctor posted in a remote area would get Rs 26,000 per month while those posted in tribal region of Dodra-Kawar would get Rs 29,000.

A doctor posted in rural areas would get Rs 23,000 and those in urban areas would be paid Rs 20,000 under the scheme, he added. A medical specialist posted in ' difficult' areas would get a special monthly package of Rs 45,000.

Mr Bindal informed the House that out of 129 doctors who were interviewed under this scheme, 79 had already joined duty.

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