Punjab Newsline, Shimla, October 15-
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directed officials to make an umbrella act combining all water-related laws, for which an expert committee will be formed. Chairing a high-power committee meeting in Shimla today, he assured that the present state government will protect the interests of the people of the Himachal Pradesh.
Sukhu highlighted his government's efforts to improve the financial situation. It is due to the better fiscal reforms which enabled the release of four percent Dearness Allowance (DA) installment for government employees and pensioners. This follows a seven percent DA given earlier whereas the previous BJP government totally neglected the interest of the state leading to investment drain.
He emphasized that the state's resources will be utilized properly and ongoing court cases will be strongly pursued. The Chief Minister also acknowledged challenges posed by global warming and climate change, necessitating studies on increasing cloud bursts.
Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Advocate General Anup Rattan, Additional Chief Secretary Onkar Chand Sharma, Principal Secretary Devesh Kumar, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Chairman Himachal Pradesh State Water Cess Commission Amitabh Awasthi, Law Secretary Sharad Kumar Lagwal and other senior officials were present in the meeting.