Latest news with #PongDam
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu distributes land allotment certificates to Pong Dam oustees
Shimla: Chief minister on Tuesday handed over land allotment certificates to 89 Pong Dam oustees during a function in Haripur in the Dehra assembly constituency of Kangra district. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Sukhu said the issue of Pong Dam oustees was strongly raised by the local MLA before the govt, highlighting how they were suffering for the last 50 years and even struggled to get their documents. The CM said the state govt was granting them their due and assured that the remaining displaced families would also be allotted land in near future. Additionally, each family will receive Rs 3 lakh as financial assistance for building homes, he said. "For the last 25 years, this constituency didn't have any Congress legislator. An independent MLA from Dehra resigned in arrogance. However, 11 months ago, Congress' Kamlesh Thakur was elected as MLA in the byelection and since then Dehra has been witnessing transformation towards development," said Sukhu. The CM also assured the completion of the Nandpur bridge by December this year. He said the state govt was establishing 'Adarsh Swasthya Sansthans' in all the 68 assembly constituencies with six specialist doctors each so that the people could be provided specialised health services. The CM also announced that the Community Health Centre (CHC), Haripur, would be made an 'Adarsh Swasthya Sansthan'. He further announced Rs 2 crore for the construction of residential accommodation for the doctors. He said an international-level zoological park was being constructed with an outlay of Rs 619 crore in Bankhandi in the Dehra area, and its first phase would be made functional next year. The project was expected to boost tourism in and around Dehra besides strengthening the local economy. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The CM also said the expansion work of Kangra airport was underway and the affected people would receive fair compensation. Sukhu, meanwhile, informed that the state govt shifted the wildlife wing office of the forest department from Shimla to Dharamshala, and in near future, more govt offices would be moved to Kangra district to decongest Shimla city. He said the implementation of the GST caused significant losses to Himachal Pradesh as in the pre-GST era the state used to receive Rs 3,000 crore annually, but now it gets only Rs 150 crore. Responding to the criticism from the BJP leaders on the medical device park, Sukhu said the previous BJP govt was trying to give away land worth Rs 500 crore in Nalagarh for merely Rs 12 lakh to an industrialist, ignoring the state's interest. The present govt will not allow the assets of the state to be squandered and that the state's financial condition is improving due to the policies of the present state govt, he added. MSID:: 121601587 413 |
Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Water-sharing row: Mann freezes Punjab's share to BBMB, calls for funds audit
Chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday announced that the state government will conduct an audit of funds it contributes to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and will withhold further payments until the audit is completed. The CM made the announcement during his visit to Nangal dam, where he arrived to oppose BBMB's proposed release of an additional 4,500 cusecs of surplus water to Haryana — taking the total release to 8,500 cusecs. 'Despite Punjab contributing 60% to BBMB's total expenditure, the board moved court against us. Ironically, Punjab is now expected to bear 60% of the legal expenses for a case filed against itself,' said Mann. He added that Punjab would not pay its quarterly contribution until a comprehensive audit is carried out. While Punjab covers 60% of the board's operational expenses, the remaining 40% is shared among Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh. In a post on X, Mann wrote: 'We will stall BBMB's funds and an audit will be conducted for the funds given to the BBMB in the past.' Mann also stated that Punjab will not bear the legal expenses in the ongoing court case and hinted at possible legal action against BBMB officers and engineers if surplus water is released to Haryana in future without the state's consent. The state had earlier refused to contribute ₹3 crore towards the ₹5 crore proposal by the BBMB to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pong Dam, citing financial constraints. Due to the lack of Punjab's contribution, the BBMB did not move forward with the proposal. 'The Centre has withheld rural development funds to Punjab citing usage concerns. If they can question our spending, we too have the right to question the BBMB on how our 60% share is being used,' the CM said.
