Covid-hit Himachal Pradesh needs more central aid, says ex-CM

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Published : Sep 2, 2021, 5:15 PM IST

Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal

Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, pressed upon the needs for the Centre's financial assistance for the state's development in an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat's regional editor Sachin Sharma

Hyderabad: Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Bharatiya Janata Party leader and the two-time chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, has sought a bailout package and more central aid to resume development projects hit by Covid-19 in the state. In the exclusive interview with ETV Bharat's Regional Editor Sachin Sharma, the former chief minister has also said Himachal Pradesh with limited economic resources cannot progress without the Centre's support.

“We need the support and resources of the Centre every time. There was a time when the Congress government at the Centre had taken back the special status of the state, leading to a devastating impact. I am thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who once again gave special status category to the state, “Dhumal said. Meanwhile, in a slip of the tongue, Dhumal said the Centre gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir during the interview.

Covid-19 pandemic has affected the state's development badly as the entire machinery and administration focused on saving lives. “For around two years, the government had passed through the tough phase of Covid-19 due to which development works of the state were affected," Dhumal said. Dhumal pointed out that the Centre had already given Rs 400 crore to the state to fight the deadly coronavirus. He further said that with the help of the Centre, Himachal Pradesh was also provided crores of funds from the World Bank.

He lauded the state government for battling Covid-19 effectively and explained that the state and country did their best in the adverse situation. “Even countries like America were shaken due to this disease. However, the Centre gave all possible help to Himachal Pradesh. However, there is surely a need to develop the health infrastructure more," Dhumal added.

Also read: CM launches HP State Food Commission's website

When asked about the demand for 'Himalayan Regiment' in the Indian army, Dhumal said, “I have talked about Himachal Regiment, Punjab Regiment, Jat Regiment, Bihar Regiment, Kumaon Regiment, Garhwal Regiment, Madras Regiment, names based on states. However, the Centre decided not to name the regiment after the state. Dogra regiment is where most of our soldiers go. It's land of warriors as the state had received four Param Vir Chakra during Kargil War.”

Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal interacts with ETV Bharat's regional editor Sachin Sharma

Talking about the veteran Congress leader Virbhadra Singh who died recently, Dhumal said that a comparison between Singh and him is unnecessary. Dhumal said that though they had ideological differences between them, there was no personal animosity.

Commenting on Mission Repeat, the veteran BJP leader asserted that his party will achieve its goal by creating history. Lauding Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, Dhumal said Thakur has been working according to his own vision and thought.

Dhumal's son Anurag Thakur is the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting as well as Sports. When asked whether he aspires to his son Anurag Thakur becoming the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, Dhumal said he has already achieved a lot in his political career. “It is the work of the party high command and the people of this state. Every father would be happy to see his son on the pinnacle, “Dhumal said.

Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal served as the chief minister of the hill state twice. In both his tenures, the BJP completed five years in power, once with an alliance and once with an absolute majority. He was a parliamentarian from Hamirpur. He had served as the Leader of the Opposition as well as President of Himachal BJP. Dhumal's efforts in developing network of roads and improving the state's connectivity were widely acclaimed.

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