HP: BJP, Cong seek liberal fund allocation from Fin Commission

BJP and Congress leaders from Himachal Pradesh today demanded from the 14th Finance Commission a liberal allocation of funds to fast-pace the development of various sectors in the state.
A BJP delegation led by MLA Suresh Bhardwaj submitted a memorandum to the Commission, requesting for adequate funds to enable the state take effective disaster mitigation steps keeping in mind the frequently-occurring natural calamities.
"Himachal did not get compensation amount and the Supreme Court order in HP verses BBMB case, (wherein award of Rs 4200 crore was announced), is yet to be honoured by our neighbouring states. So, there is need for additional allocations to meet such contingencies," it said.

The BJP also appealed to raise the percentage share of the state in the tax revenue to compensate for the infrastructural gap.
"The special allocations are required to be made to our state to compensate for the loss of revenue on account of complete ban on green felling," the memorandum said.
It said the norm of expenditure on employees should be relaxed to cover the existing strength, as reducing the staff was not feasible in wake of hazardous topography of the state.
"There should be special norms for our state in respect of unit cost, staff deployment vis-a-vis area coverage and timeline for completion of projects," it said.

The memorandum said special allocations need be made to improve the condition of roads and development of parking and other infrastructural facilities in Shimla.