Vinit Wahi
The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh held a meeting with the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitely here and discussed various issues pertaining to the state particularly the funding pattern of Centrally Sponsored Schemes such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan,Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan and Mid -Day Meal Schemes etc.
Discussing about the various pending issues of the State the Chief Minister attracted the attention of the Union Minister that the Government of India had been providing funds to the Special Category States on Centrally Sponsored Schemes particularly to the North-Eastern States in the proportion of 90:10. He requested that this pattern should also be adopted in case of Himachal Pradesh so that the expectations and aspirations of people of this hill State could be fulfilled in the larger interest of the country. He also apprised that Himachal Pradesh has done commendable work in the field of education particularly imparting education to the girls and also earned name in implementing all the centrally sponsored schemes in the field of health and education.
Highlighting the developmental road map of the State Virbhadra Singh said that there was a vast potential in the field of hydro and tourism sectors which needed to be exploited with the help and intervention of different funding agencies.
The Union Finance Minister assured all possible help to the Chief Minister and also appreciated the efforts of state government to maintain the pace of development and implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes in the State despite various geographical constraints. He directed the higher officers of the Ministry to look into the raised and pending issues of the state on priority basis so that the pace of development of the state may not hampered for the want of funds.