PAC demands financial package for Himachal

Kangra, July 3 (UNI) Mr Vijay Kumar Malhotra, head of the seven-member Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee on visit to Himachal Pradesh, stressed the need for a financial package for the state on the pattern of Jammu and Kashmir, for the over all development of the hill state.

Talking to reporters here yesterday, he said while financial package was being given to J&K, the peaceful state of Himachal was being ignored and promised to take up the issue with the Central government after returning to Delhi.

Mr Malhotra said areas bordering China should be developed strategically and with the tourist point of view.

Besides making tunnels in the area much more should be done in view of the security threat from China, he said and added that environment and ecology should not be disturbed in the name of development.

He also suggested for a shrine board in the state on the pattern of the Vashno Devi Shrine Broad in Jammu and Kashmir, saying temple tourism had tremendous scope here.

The setting up of a shrine board for the temples would not only boost temple tourism but would act as a catalyst for the development of the state, he said.

Mr Malhotra also emphaised the need for laying down a broad gauge railway line between Pathankot and Joginder Nagar, besides connecting Mandi and Kullu with the railway lines.

UNI XC AD VP0430