Set up Himalayan regiment, says Dhumal
October 22nd, 2011 - 6:05 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, Oct 22 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal Saturday requested the central government to set up a Himalayan regiment in the Indian Army comprising youth from the hill states.
“India faces a major military threat from neighbouring China and the Indian Army should be made fully capable of fighting in the tough hilly terrain,” he said at the National Development Council meeting here.
“For this, a separate Army regiment drawn from the youths of hilly areas should be set up so that the soldiers are fully conversant with tough topography of the region.”
He asked the central government to make suitable provision in the 12th Plan.
On the allocation of additional funds to the education and health sectors, Dhumal said: “The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government had promised allocation of six percent and three percent of gross domestic product (GDP) during the 2009 general elections but this commitment remains unfulfilled even by the end of this Plan.”
He asked the central government to formulate a land use policy and demanded that a draft should clearly mention that all scarce natural resources be bought and sold through auction only.
On promotion of tourism in the hilly state, the chief minister demanded setting up of an all-weather international airport in the state during the 12th Plan.
He also demanded subsidised heli-taxi services in the tribal areas during winter, for the locals and the tourists, on the pattern of north-eastern states.
Tourism is an important contributor to Himachal Pradesh’s economic development, besides horticulture and hydro-power generation.
- Himachal records 16 percent rise in tourist arrivals - Jan 04, 2011
- Himachal ties up with three helicopter taxi operators - Dec 06, 2010
- Heli-taxis to take wings in Himachal - Nov 06, 2010
- Himachal Pradesh Government to build international airport near Shimla - Oct 26, 2010
- Himachal seeks additional funds from Planning Commission - May 23, 2011
- Helicopter taxi service launched in Himachal - Jan 29, 2011
- Himachal to have tourism police - Aug 18, 2009
- Himachal seeks Rs.27,556 crore for 12th Plan - Sep 20, 2011
- Dhumal seeks special funds to develop border areas - Sep 10, 2011
- States' demand for 'green bonus' legitimate: Ashwani Kumar - Apr 09, 2012
- Heli Taxi services launched in Himachal - Jan 30, 2011
- Dhumal raises Shimla ground row in Delhi; Army says no conflict - Apr 16, 2012
- 'Will do everything for Darjeeling, no separate Darjeeling' - Oct 11, 2011
- Graft, scams hog limelight in Himachal assembly (Himachal Pradesh Newsletter) - Apr 01, 2012
- Private operators can ply heli-taxis in Himachal - Mar 11, 2010
Tags: alliance government, central government, chief minister, conversant, eastern states, general elections, health sectors, heli taxi, hill states, hilly areas, hilly terrain, hydro power generation, indian army, military threat, progressive alliance, scarce natural resources, six percent, suitable provision, taxi services, tribal areas