PM promises adequate assistance to flood-hit Himachal Pradesh

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today assured Himachal Pradesh that the Centre will release adequate funds from the National Disaster Response Fund to it for undertaking relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction works in flood affected areas of the state.
This was conveyed to Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh when he led a delegation of state cabinet ministers to the Prime Minister's residence and requested Singh to provide immediate financial assistance, a state government release said.
AICC general secretary and incharge of the state Ambika Soni accompanied the delegation.
The Chief Minister also requested Singh to restore the industrial package to the state till 2020 and help remove regional disparity in industrial development besides creating employment avenues for youths in the state.

He said the special package to industry was introduced in 2003 for a period of 10 years till March 2013, but incentive of central excise duty was withdrawn in March 2010 and income tax incentive was withdrawn in March 2012.
The Prime Minister sympathised with flood victims of the state and assured all possible central assistance, he said.
Singh assured the delegation that all demands of the state like extension of industrial package, special plan assistance, strengthening of rail network will be positively considered by the Centre in a time-bound manner, the release added.