PM's response ''very positive'' refgarding help to HP: Dhumal

Shimla, Dec 31 (UNI) Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today said that he was leading a ''common man's government'' and had got a ''very positive'' response from the Centre about cooperation in developing the hill-state.

In his first interaction with mediapersons after taking over the rein of the state for second time, Mr Dhumal said during his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi, he had been assured by the PM regarding implementation of projects like setting up of an IIT and Central University for Himachal, made by the Union Finance Minister sometime ago.

''I had gone for a courtesy call. The Prime Minister told me that he will be always there to extend a helping hand to the hill state in every sphere,'' he said.

The Chief Minister said he has expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for a very positive response, apprised him of the latest political and economic situation and invited him to visit the state.

The issue of special industrial package to the state also figured in the talks with the PM, he said.

The Prime Minister has also been urged to pursuade the Railway ministry to make budgetary provision for the ongoing railways projects in the state so that these could be completed in time bound manner, he said.

He made special mention of Baddi-Barotiwala, Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Berri and Nangal-Talwara railway lines and told that work on all these projects was hanging from last many years.

Mr Dhumal asserted that peaceful industrial climate and clean and transparent administration during their regime would help in rapid industrialisation of the state.

He, however, refused to reply to questions about the cabinet expansion or any other government decisions likely to be taken in near future.

Earlier, state Government employees and public greeted Mr Dhumal on the first day in his office at the state secretariat on becoming the state's CM for the second time.

Newly-elected BJP legislators and activists from all over the state assembled at the secretariat before Mr Dhumal arrived there.

Later, Mr Dhumal addressed the secretariat employees and told them to build positive working environment to achieve the targets set by the Congress Government.

UNI