Himachal CM seeks revival of special industrial package

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for seeking revival of the special industrial package to the state.
Incentives like "Income Tax, Central Excise Duty exemption" to industrial units should be extended at least up to 2020", he said during his meeting with Jaitley in New Delhi today.
Singh apprised Jaitley of tough geographical conditions of the state and demanded special assistance and incentives for speedy development of the hill state, an official spokesman said.
Singh also reiterated the demand for extension of Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri Railway line via Bilaspur and Manali and declaring it as a national project, keeping in view its strategic importance.

He said there should be uniform funding pattern for all centrally sponsored schemes, especially Sarv Siksha Abhiyan (SSA), Mid-Day Meal, Indira Awas Yojana, National Ambulance Service and other small schemes.
He added that being a special category hill state, the funding should be in the ratio of 90:10, to be shared by the centre and the state.
Singh asked the Union Minister to release arrears of Rs 144.36 crore for relief and rehabilitation works for sufferers of excessive rains in 2013, saying the loss which was assessed at Rs 2,575 crore was underestimated.