For making the state financially strong, unnecessary expenses have to be curtailed by taking some stringent measures and the legislators should also keep in mind the future challenges and place the developmental priorities accordingly to give shape to the proposed annual estimated budget plans of Rs. 9523.82 crore for the year 2023-24, said Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while presiding over the MLAs priority meeting here today. He said that the need of the hour was to maintain financial discipline in letter and spirit. “We have inherited the debt burden of Rs. 75000 crore from the previous Government, besides liabilities of around Rs. 11000 crore and I hope, that the suggestions and deliberations, on this platform will revolve around the present financial situation of the State and further help deciding the future course of action to ensure equitable development with the available resources”, said the Chief Minister.
For developing Himachal as a Green State, and reducing carbon emission, a special policy was being made for running electrical vehicles in a phased manner in the State. Special focus was being laid to develop tourism in a big way by providing wayside amenities, electric charging stations, security etc to the visitors, said the CM. The upcoming budget of the government will decide the fiscal directions of next five years, on which the schemes of the government would be targeted. He reiterated that the present State Government was aiming to provide transparent and accountable administration to the people by implementing zero tolerance towards corruption. Redressing the grievances of the people in a time bound manner will be the utmost priority of government. He also said that a time limit of seven days has been fixed for notifying the tenders and it will be ensured that they were further awarded within 20 days. He asked NABARD to sanction the amount as per Detailed Project Report (DPR) submitted.
Directions were issued to the officers of PWD and Jal Shakti departments to fruitfully utilise the remaining budget of Rs. 962 crore of financial year 2022-23 and asked to submit the reimbursement claims to NABARD office before 15th March, 2023. He directed the administrative secretaries, Heads of the Departments and Deputy Commissioners to be generous towards the grievances of the people and also take action to resolve the demands and complaints raised by legislators. He also directed for time bound disposal of the formalities like DPRs, timely forest clearances etc as proposed by the MLAs. He said that the concerned Deputy Commissioners and concerned departments will also review the priorities at their level every month and submit the report to the Government. Earlier, Finance Secretary, Akshay Sood welcomed the Chief Minister, the Ministers and the MLAs on the occasion. Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sunder Thakur, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, other Secretaries and Deputy Commissioners of concerned districts and senior officers of the State Government were also present in the meeting.
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