HP seeks NITI funds to protect green wealth

SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh government on Friday urged the NITI Aayog to give bonus for protecting the green wealth in the state.

Health and family welfare minister Kaul Singh Thakur, on Friday complained to the NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand that Centre did not respond to the request for funds under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna. “Various projects under the scheme had been approved and submitted to the Centre for approval, but no response has been received so for," he said during the interaction session with NITI Aayog's representative in Shimla. Thakur said central assistance to the state has been drastically reduced after formation of NITI Aayog, also known as National Institution for Transforming India.

Thakur also urged to bring the villages having population less than 250 within the fold of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.

Agriculture minister Sujan Singh Pathania said under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna, funds had been reduced to ₹20 crore from ₹90 crore and inadequate funds were provided under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Yojna and micro irrigation schemes as well. Chief secretary VC Pharka said the state government is in a position to achieve most of the targets by the year 2022. HTC

Various projects under the scheme had been approved and submitted to the Centre for approval, but no response has been received so far. KAUL SINGH THAKUR, Himachal health and family welfare minister