By IANS,
New Delhi : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal Saturday sought special assistance from the central government for developing areas along the international borders.
He also requested the central government to fully reimburse the expenditure being incurred on providing security to the spiritual leaders settled in the state.
Speaking at the National Integration Council meeting here, Dhumal asked for enhancing central assistance for the developing areas along 201-km long border with China.
“A budget of only Rs.2,000 lakh has been allocated for these areas by the central government for the year 2011-12,” the chief minister said. “That is insufficient keeping in view tough geographical and topographical conditions.”
Kinnaur and Lahaul & Spiti districts in the state share a porous border with China and smuggling of rare species of fauna and Chinese goods like woollen blankets and thermos flasks is quite frequent.
Dhumal also demanded sanctioning of two additional police battalions for manning inter-state borders.
He also requested the centre to fully reimburse the expenditure being incurred on the security of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and the 17th Karmapa Lama, Ogyen Trinley Dorje.
Dhumal opposed the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparation) Bill of 2011, saying it encroaches upon the domain of states.
“The existing laws need to be effectively implemented to deal with communal violence,” the chief minister added.