Development plan for Shimla under consideration: government

Shimla, Mar 30 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Excise and Taxation Minister Rangila Ram Rao today said a comprehensive development plan for Shimla is under active consideration of the state government.

Replying to a question by former tourism minister and senior Congress leader Vijai Singh Mankotia, he said the plan has been prepared by the Town and Country Planning Department in view of the recommendations of the Seminar of Town Planners of India held in Shimla in 2003, on the theme ''Development of Hills capitals: Vision 2025''.

Mr Rao said the development plan envisaged restoration of old glory, pollution free, efficient, healthy, competitive and vibrant modern city, holistic approach for prospective planning of Shimla to attract tourists from all over the world.

Raising the issue, Mr Mankotia asked about the progress on the comprehensive document, which had come for action by the government in 2003 in the form of Shimla: Vision 2025 after the national seminar of Town and Country Planning experts.

He questioned the government for allowing various violations in construction in earmarked zones of Shimla. He said why the government was not showing the political will to enforce laws strictly to stops these violations.

In reply to a question by Atma Ram (BJP), Agriculture Minister, Raj Krishen Gaur said there was a backlog of nine posts of Assistant Scientists and equivalent posts in the reserved category (SCs and STs) in the CSK HP Krishi Vishva Vidalaya, Palampur.

UNI AS DP VD DB2251