Hamirpur (HP), Dec 15 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on Friday said that the Centre should compensate the state for the contribution it has made in forest conservation.
Underlining the need for growing more trees for the green revolution and pollution free environment, Agnihotri asked the Central government to give more compensation to the state.
Addressing the 24th Forest Sports and Duty Competition here, the deputy chief minister informed that Himachal Pradesh has about 70 per cent forest land and is currently getting revenue of only Rs 70 crore from the forests.
Agnihotri said that the state has made a huge contribution in forest and environment conservation by completely banning deforestation for almost four-and-a-half decades and suffered a huge loss of revenue.
Asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led regime should in lieu of this give an incentive and compensation amount to Himachal Pradesh, he said the state government will raise this issue related to the invaluable forest resources with the Centre.
Agnihotri further said the state government will soon deploy 2,061 Van Mitras, adding the first e-bus depot will be established in Nadaun in Hamirpur district for which land related formalities have been completed.
About 700 male and female players from 13 teams, including all 10 circles of the department, wildlife wing, directorate and Himachal Pradesh State Forest Development Corporation, are participating in the competition.
The deputy chief minister later talking the media said that ballot papers should be used in place of the EVMs during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
“Why is the BJP afraid of holding the elections using the old method of ballot papers?” he asked. PTI COR BPL AS AS
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