Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said Rs 343.12 crore Central assistance for financial years 2015-16 and 2016-17 under Pradhanmantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna (PMKSY) was still pending.

At a meeting of the NITI Aayog under the chairmanship of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on Sunday, Thakur said the Water Resources Ministry had given priority to 99 irrigation projects in 2016-17 under PMKSY for funding. However, no single scheme of Himachal Pradesh was added in this list despite fulfilling all the conditions.

He said that state government had requested to add Rs 156.31 crore and Rs 204.51 crore for Medium Irrigation Projects of Nadaun and Finna Singh for funding under AIBP as they were fulfilling the conditions.

Thakur requested for early release of pending funds under PKSY and adding both the irrigation projects under the 99 priority projects list, which would boost the income of farmers. He said that state government will implement nine schemes in the current year for boosting the income of farmers.

The CM said that state government has also prepared a proposal for Water Conservation and Management with an estimated cost of Rs 4,751 crore for five districts of HP which were facing water shortage for irrigation.

He said that the state government has taken up this matter with the Centre for funding through any external agency. He further informed that a target has been fixed to plant 10 lakh new saplings by year 2022 to boost horticulture.

He said that state government has decided to implement innovative schemes Swasthya mei Sahbhagita Yojna, Mukhyamantri Nirog Yojna, Mukhyamantri Ashirwad Yojna and Mukhyamantri Chikitsa Sahayta Kosh to strengthen health services in the state.

Thakur said that more than 10 lakh people have been benefitted through National Ambulance Service and the rate of institutional deliveries has increased from 50 to 80 per cent. He informed that fund allocation for National Ambulance Service 108 which is a part of National Health Mission is being provided in the ratio of 20:80 (Centre and state).

He urged for funds assistance in the ratio of 90:10 keeping in view the tough geographical conditions of the state.

He said Chamba, Hamirpur, Solan, Shimla and Una districts were being covered under National Nutrition Mission. He added that state government was making efforts to fill necessary posts for successful implementation of this programme, however, as per the directions of the GOI state government will bear the financial burden of posts pertaining to headquarter level which amounts to Rs 21 crore.

He urged the Centre to review this decision in the interest of state so that the goals under the programme are achieved fast.

He said district Chamba has been identified under Special Development Needs of Aspirational Districts and the district administration has prepared an elaborate three year Action Plan for integrated development of the district. It has been submitted to the Centre Government, he added.

Thakur later visited the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi to enquire about health of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who is under treatment in the ICU of AIIMS.