HP CM rules out Budget session at Dharamsala

Shimla, Dec 23 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today rejected former chief minister P K Dhumal's suggestion of holding budget session of the State Assembly in its new building at Tapovan in Kangra district.

''Mr Dhumal's suggestion for holding the Budget Session of the Assembly in the new building could not be accepted since it would mean complete ''dislocation'' of the state government from the state capital for over a month,'' he said, while addressing a press conference here.

Accusing the former chief minister for making irresponsible statements and unnecessary criticism of the state, Mr Singh said he should restrain himself from making unnecessary statements.

Mr Dhumal was daydreaming of coming back to power again, he said, adding that his five-year tenure was a disaster when corruption was rampant in the state.

The Chief Minister said the previous state government had bartered the interests of the state by not retaining 25 per cent equity share in the 2,051 MW Parvati Hydro Power Project and 800 MW Koldam Project which would cause a loss of over Rs 80,000 crore in the years to come.

Mr Singh said his government was pursuing 30 per cent equity share in these hydel projects and added that the Centre was also sympathetic towards this demand of the state government.

Referring to the bill regarding the appointment of Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPSs) and Parliamentary Secretaries (PSs), he said it had been cleared by the Cabinet and would be introduced in the winter session of the Assembly.

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