Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu impressed upon the NITI Ayog to consider “a different deal for the hilly states” because their needs were different as compared to other states. He said that “Himachal Pradesh acts as lungs for the northern India and must get Green Bonus for protecting the forest cover and natural resources.”
He was speaking at a special meeting with the Vice Chairman of the Niti Aayog Suman Bery, V K Paul Member of the Aayog and a panel of Experts at New Delhi today. He requested the Niti Aayog to study the peculiar needs of Himachal Pradesh and to plead its case with the funding agencies and Finance Commission He stressed the need for a rightful pleaded share of royalty in hydropower projects being executed by the CPSUs.
The Chief Minister elaborated the vision of Green Himachal. He also emphasised the need for better air and rail connectivity for the State. Chief Minister also discussed about challenges posing the state in terms of natural calamities and rising of cancer cases in the state and urged for a detailed study on the causes to take actions for their solutions. The Vice Chairman of the NITI Ayog said that a panel of experts will study the case presented by the State. CPS Sunder Singh Thakur, Principal Advisor to CM Ram Subhag Singh and senior officers of the State Government were present in the meeting.
