Mankotia for second capital status to Dharamshala

Dharamshala, Dec 23 (UNI) Former Himachal Pradesh Tourism Minister Vijai Singh Mankotia today demanded that Dharamshala should be accorded the second capital status since the winter session of the Assembly would be held here every year now.

''Holding of winter session of the State Assembly here in the newly-constructed building at Tapovan in Kangra district should be a precursor to according second capital status to Dharamshala, '' he said at a press conference here.

Mr Mankotia also hoped that the state government would accept the long pending demand of the people of the merged areas by setting up a Divisional or Circuit Branch of the HP High Court here.

A second Academic University, an Information and Technology University and additional chief secretary's office should also be set up here, he said.

Continuing with its tirade against the state government for discriminating with the lower areas of the state, he said the per capita income of the people indicated the backwardness of the region.

He said development does not mean construction of roads and bridges, but economic growth of the area, which was judged by the per capita income of people, that was much below the state average.

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