By IANS,
New Delhi : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh Monday called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here and sought a special financial package of Rs.7,565 crore for his state, an official said.
He also demanded resumption of special industrial package, which expired in March 2010, to accelerate industrial growth of the state.
A government spokesperson told IANS that the prime minister was apprised of the “erroneous recommendations” of the 13th Finance Commission, which deals with the share of states in central tax proceeds, that led to the state’s poor finances.
The gap in the committed liabilities in terms of salaries, pensions and interest was Rs.3,522 crore during 2012-13 and this was likely to increase to Rs.4,043 crore in the next fiscal, the spokesperson said.
He said the prime minister was also urged to restore the cut-off of Rs.106.08 crore in the approved special central assistance of Rs.900 crore for 2012-13.
On the problems the state is facing after the closure of the airports in September last year, the spokesperson said Virbhadra Singh demanded early restoration of the air services at Shimla, Kullu and Kangra airports as this has impacted the tourism industry of the state.