HP Govt to pursue ex-servicemen's 'one rank, one pension'

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today promised to pursue the "one rank, one pension" demand of ex-servicemen.
Addressing a massive rally at Rajeev Gandhi Stadium at Dulehar in Una district, Singh said his government had already enhanced "Samman Rashis" of ex-servicemen and was providing various benefits to them.
He said his government was committed to welfare of every section of society irrespective of region and religion, and had adopted the policy of zero-tolerance towards corruption.
"My Government will not tolerate corruption at any cost and appropriate action will be taken against those involved in it," he said, adding that the erstwhile BJP government had made corruption its culture and cheated the state's people.

He said the 13th Finance Commission had grossly underestimated the committed liabilities of the state which "has adversely affected the development". The expenditure on salary was capped at 35 per cent of revenue expenditure and liability on account of interest payment and pension was also grossly underestimated.
While the commission recommended an average increase of 126 per cent to other states compared to the grant of the 12th Finance Commission, the increase in case of HP was only 50 per cent, which was the lowest in the country, he claimed.

He said despite financial restraints he would assure that the development process didn't suffer.

The Chief Minister said, despite massive preparations for the past one month, BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's rally turned out to be "a dull affair" and many people were brought to the meet from neighbouring states.
Speaking on the occasion, Transport Minister G S Bali blamed the previous BJP government for stopping the work of the Macleod Ganj Bus Stand in Dharamsala.