HP only state to have tribal sub-plan, says CM

Shimla, Jan 3 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said Himachal was the only state in the country, which had earmarked nine per cent of its annual budget for the development of its tribal areas under the tribal sub-plan.

Presiding over the Kinnaur Students Welfare Association cultural function here last evening, he said this was besides regular budgetary and centrally-sponsored schemes for the area.

Mr Singh said similarly the government had also formulated the Backward Area Sub-Plan for the developmental needs of other backward areas of the state.

The state government would soon be incorporating Scheduled Caste Special Component Plan in the next annual budget to ensure all round development of the SC dominated villages and areas in the state, he said.

Asserting that funds under the plan would only be spent on the specific projects, he said no diversion of funds to other projects would be permitted under any circumstances.

The Chief Minister said the government's endeavours were yielding encouraging results and development was visible in the targeted areas of the state.

UNI