Himachal wants debt relief package, extension of NREGP

New Delhi, Dec 9 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today demanded a suitable debt relief package, more outlay under 'Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan', extension of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (NREGP) to the remaining ten districts and a time-bound roadmap for tapping 80,000 MW of hydropower.

Addressing the 52nd meeting of the National Development Council convened to discuss and approve the Approach Paper for the 11th Five Year Plan, Mr Virbhadra Singh pointed out that Himachal Pradesh had become the most highly debt stressed state with an annual interest burden of Rs 1,700 crore, which was more than its total tax revenue.

''In this context, the 11th Plan of Himachal Pradesh will need to address the issue of a special financial package to bring down the past debt burdens. This would require a suitable debt relief package for the state.'' For the special category state, he said, the pattern of financing of externally aided projects should be reverted to the earlier pattern of 90 per cent grant and 10 per cent loan, with the foreign exchange being borne by the Centre.

On the environmental front, he demanded sufficient financial resources for the preservation of forests and an ecological task force of ex-servicemen, who had retired early from the armed forces.

He also urged for extending NREGP, currently in operation in only two districts, to the remaining ten districts of the state.

Mr Singh also asked for extension of tax incentives for commercial units to January 2013, which had been curtailed to March 2010.

He said adequate funds should be given for upgrading the Shimla airport and for construction of a new airport at Balh in Mandi district.

''I also request for a time-bound roadmap for tapping our nation's potential of more than 80,000 MW of hydropower, which includes investment in new hydropower projects,'' he said.

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