HP Govt to restructure debt repayment system

Shimla, May 3 (UNI) In a bid to save higher interest payments on loans borrowed by Himachal Pradesh, the Government will be restructuring debt repayment system, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today said.

Talking to media persons, Mr Dhumal said the government had endeavoured to enhance the purchasing power of every section of society by releasing five percent interim relief to state employees from November 2006.

The Chief Minister said that besides increase in daily wages by 33 percent the increase in social security from Rs 200 to Rs 300 benefited 2.3 lakh pensioners in the state.

He said efforts would be made to check the spiraling price of essential commodities by keeping strict vigil over wholesale traders and hoarders, who had stocked to create artificial crisis.

The Chief Minister said Flying squads had been formed to check hoarding and overcharging rates of commodities in markets.

He said "the previous Congress government had announced subsidized ration scheme without making provisions of budget for it just to gain political mileage. However on coming to power, the BJP government not only cleared the arrears valued Rs 70 crore but also made additional provision of Rs 90 crore for current financial year'' he added.

UNI XC AS VKJ BP1958