HP govt not serious about development of state: Nadda

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda today alleged that the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government was not serious about the development of the state.
"The state government is not serious about the development of Himachal Pradesh and the projects and schemes approved by the central government had not made much headway due to its casual approach. It has failed to keep pace with the proactive Modi government," he said in a statement issued here today.
Despite efforts ofthe Centre, which is working in the true spirit of "cooperative federalism", most interventions, projectsand schemes have either failed to take-off or their implementation is far from satisfactory, Nadda claimed.

The Centre is doing its bit by approving schemes and sanctioning funds without delay, but it is the responsibility of the state government to do the necessary spade work and ensure its implementation, he said.
"But the state government has not shown the same zeal either due to political reasons or sheer incompetence. It is not a healthy approach as in a federal system the Centre and states should work in unison, rising above party lines, to accelerate the pace of development," the Minister said.
He claimed he was not saying all this to derive political mileage but out of concern, as people deserved better roads, health care and education facilities among others amenities.

"There is a long list of projects and schemes which have not made much headway because of delay by the state," he said.

Prime Minister Narender Modi was keen to lay the foundation of the IIM at Paonta Sahib in his last visit but it was postponed because the state had not obtained forest clearance for its land, he claimed.
The state is also dithering implementation of projects, including a Level-I trauma centre in Shimla, he said, adding eyeing high casualties in road accidents the Health Ministry had approved the state's plan to acquire a private hospital to make it functional immediately.

However, it is learnt that the state has shelved this proposal, he claimed.