Central should give a special economic package for hilly states: Pratibha

State Congress President and former MP Pratibha Singh has demanded from the Central Government to give a special economic package for hilly states like Himachal Pradesh in the budget, so that the pace of development in these areas can be boosted. She has said that the cost of any construction and expansion work in hilly areas is higher than in the plains, so special provisions should be made in the budget for hilly areas for development work in these areas.

Pratibha Singh, while demanding special financial help for Himachal Pradesh from the central government, said that the natural calamity that hit the state last year has caused a loss of more than 12 thousand crores. Apart from this, the Congress government of the state has inherited a debt of more than 70 thousand crores and liabilities of more than 10 thousand crores from the previous BJP government, so the central government should generously help the state financially.

Pratibha Singh has demanded the central government to issue a special package for industrial development in the state and said that this will help the state to become self-reliant and eliminate rising unemployment. She has expressed hope that in this year’s budget, some big gift will be announced for Himachal Pradesh in addition to the railway line.