Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today stressed on making Zonal Councils more effective and relevant in the changed economic scenario and emphasised they must meet regularly keeping in view of their significant role in understanding and redressing issues common to neighbouring states.
Addressing delegates at the 27th meeting of Northern Zonal Council, chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, which was hosted by Himachal Pradesh, the Council vice chairman Singh categorically raised the issue of resettlement of remaining oustees of Pong Dam with Rajasthan government.
He said due to construction of Pong Dam in 1961 about 339 villages of Dehra and Nurpur tehsils of Kangra district were immersed, resulting in displacement of 20,722 families.
Despite HP's concerted efforts in the last 50 years, 2,501 families still remained to be settled as per the rehabilitation plan, Singh said, calling for time-bound settlement of the matter.
Expressing concern over the import of apple, the Himachal Chief Minister said this has threatened the livelihood of apple growers in his state which produces 6 lakh metric tonne of the fruit every year and is the main source of livelihood for more than 1.64 lakh families.
"We urge that import duty on apple be raised on priority and if necessary, Central government may notify apple as a 'Special' product," he said.
