Distinct norms needed for hill states under AMRUT: Sukhu

Kullu: Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has urged the central govt to adopt distinct norms for hill states, including Himachal Pradesh, while sanctioning projects under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transport (AMRUT) scheme, keeping in view their challenging terrain and topography.
During a meeting with the Union minister for housing and urban affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, at Himachal Bhawan in Chandigarh on Friday, the CM said projects under the AMRUT scheme were sanctioned on the basis of population, however, this criterion was unsuitable for Himachal and needed relaxation so that the state could take maximum benefit of the scheme.
He said the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission should also be reviewed periodically, as the cost of projects gets escalated overtime. Emphasising that Himachal was one of the best performing states under the Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana (PMAY), he urged for funds to be released under the PMAY-2 once the funds under PMAY-1 were fully utilised.
‘Amend tender policy’
The CM urged the central govt to amend the tender policy system, reducing the period from 60 days to 10 days to accelerate the pace of development works. He also urged the ministry of power to allow one MW capacity solar systems with battery backups for border areas, including Spiti, to mitigate the hardships caused by snow and adverse weather. He said Rs 362 crore had been earmarked to ensure uninterrupted power supply in these areas.
Khattar, during the meeting, said a proposal of developing new township at Jathia Devi near Shimla had been received and was under process. He said solid waste management plants may be set up in municipal corporations because big projects were not feasible in a small state like Himachal Pradesh. He said the concept of Sanjha Bazar should be explored in Himachal so that the self-help groups could sell their products at one place to earn their livelihood.
The Union minister suggested the state to increase power production and ensure maximum utilisation of running water to harness the hydroelectric power.