Tourism, industries, agriculture in focus for Himachal's development, says CM Jairam Thakur

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Himachal Pradesh Cheif Minister Jairam Thakur has said that his government aims to upgrade the state's connectivity with the plains to give a boost to the industry and tourism. 

In an exclusive interview with India TV Digital, the 52-year-old veteran BJP leader said that his government has been working to ensure ample opportunities for industries, agriculture and tourism to ensure that the people of the state do not have to migrate for employment and education opportunities. 

"Unemployment is a global issue and Himachal is a part of it. To solve this problem in the state, we are focussing on self-employment by encouraging entrepreneurship in tourism and other sectors so that Himachal residents do not only earn but also employ others in future," the chief minister said.

He added that his government has also made fresh provisions for the industry sector so that the companies can return to the 'power state'. Efforts are also beng made to revive organic farming in the state, as at least 90 per cent of population here lives in rural areas and is dependent on agriculture, the chief minister added.

CM Thakur claimed that during the short period of seven months his government has been able to secure an unprecedented amount of aide from the Centre, which he said was a major achievement. The Centre has provided an aid eof Rs 5498 crores to the state in past seven months, he said. 

On the recent water crisis in Shimla, the chief minister said that the problem was limited to a small region and time and was blown out of proportion. He, however, admitted that the state still plagues from parking issues which has several tourists to stay away. 

The CM said that the government was working to resolve the parking infrastructure problem and increase state's connectivity through rail and air. "We have transformed the VVIP helicopter service into a heli-taxi service, accessible to all... we are hopeful that the state would soon get a full-scale airport... the Railway ministry is working to reduce the travel time between Shimla and Kalka," Thakur told India TV Digital. 

Jairam Thakur, who was crowned with Chief Ministership after BJP's CM candidate prem Kumar Dhumal failed to win from his assembly seat during state polls in December 2017, expressed faith that his party will win all four Lok Sabha seats in 2019 General Elections.

Watch full interview here: 

(The interview was conducted and reported by Manoj Kumar, Khabar India TV Paisa)