Dhumal opposes ban on green felling

Una, May 14 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minsiter Prem Kumar Dhumal today said his government had contested the ban on green felling in the Supreme Court and would make all out efforts to help reverse the ban in public interest.

He was addressing an election meeting in Kuneran village of Gagret Block.

Mr Dhumal cited an example in Una district where the Police had to seek public support in collecting wood to cremate a body.

''The ban on green felling needs to be revoked as it is causing chaos in public,'' he said, adding that he had discussed the matter with the Chief Justice of India and the Prime Minister.

The Chief Minister negated the Congress' claim that the provision of essential items at subsidised rates under the Public Distribution System (PDS) would be stopped after the Hamirpur Parliamentary by-elections and assured the public that the scheme would continue till the prices of essential items were brought down.

Referring to the controversial Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Una district, Mr Dhumal said the government will not indulge in the process of land procurement.

He added that since development was meant for the public, it was they who were to decide whether they wanted the SEZ in their area or not.

He blamed the previous Congress regimes for creating a fuss over the construction of SEZ and the issue of delay in setting up a Sugar mill in Gagret segment.

He also addressed five election rallies in Gagret block. He was accompanied by former state president and MLA Suresh Bhardwaj, Banikhet MLA Renu Chadda, Gagret MLA Balbir Chaudhary, former GOC Western Command Lt Gen (Retd) HS Kanwar, Vice Chairman of the Ex-servicemen Corporation Col (Retd) RC Parashar and district BJP Media in-charge Hari Om Bhanot.

UNI XC AS PS SY KN2015