While taking part in the inter-state council meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Kumar Modi at New Delhi today, the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Mr. Virbhadra Singh today demanded subsided Helicopter services to the tribal districts of Himachal Pradesh on the analogy of other hilly north eastern states.
The Centre should consider our request to provide subsided helicopter services in Himachal Pradesh so that all parts of the state remain connected throughout the year, Mr. Singh said. He also asked the Centre that it should allow state to utilize wasteland for creating infrastructure for essential economic activities like road infrastructure and power projects.
Seeking relaxation in granting approvals he also raised the issue of the inordinate delay in granting permissions for critical infrastructure projects under Forest Conservation Act. Himachal is facing a serious challenge and future possibility of spill over of terrorism in adjoining districts of J&K state like Chamba & Lahaul Spiti.
We request the Center to support us in containing the terror activities by giving more grants. Centre should grant “Green Bonus” to hill states in lieu of environmental services provided by these states. “Green Bonus” should be provided regularly to the states as an opportunity cost in terms of the area. It will be a big incentive to states as well as a right step towards environment protection and sustainable development.
