Himachal CM Clarifies Fund Usage and Medical College Developments

Himachal Pradesh's Chief Minister clarified in the Vidhan Sabha that MLAs' development funds are not halted, urging timely recommendations. He emphasized autonomy in medical colleges concerning user charges. Additionally, he outlined plans for relocating Dr. YS Parmar Government Medical College due to inadequate expansion space at its current location.

In a session of the Vidhan Sabha, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reassured that the MLAs' Local Area Development Funds remain operational and no directives have been issued to halt them. The delay in fund utilization is attributed to the MLAs' failure to submit recommendations promptly. To accommodate this, the deadline for discretionary fund use has been extended from March 26 to March 29.

Addressing questions regarding medical colleges, the Chief Minister stated that these institutions have the autonomy to charge minimum user fees to cover operational expenses. He also highlighted that new infrastructure improvements, such as installing lifts, are underway at Tanda Medical College. The maintenance budgets of both Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, and Tanda Medical College are integrated, he added.

On the topic of the Dr. YS Parmar Government Medical College, Sukhu revealed plans for relocation due to constraints on expansion at the current site in Nahan. The relocation proposal has been forwarded to the Union Forest and Environment Ministry for approval, with 161 bighas of land identified for the new site. This move is necessary as the previous government commenced construction without considering space limitations, costing Rs 100.88 crore so far, with an estimated Rs 370 crore more required for completion.

(With inputs from agencies.)