Dharamshala’s Second Capital Status Will Bring Government Closer To Lower Himachal
Rakesh Sharma
(The writer is based at Bathu Tipri village in Jaswan tehsil of Kangra)
Granting Dharamshala the status of second capital of Himachal Pradesh is a bold and appropriate step if one views without wearing a political lens. Nobody has imagined that Chief Minister will give such a big gift to lower Himachal. The government has taken many populist decisions in last four years. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh made big announcements in different Vidhan Sabha areas of lower Himachal during his winter sojourn. These announcements pertained to new schools, colleges, sub-divisions, tehsils and sub-tehsils. In fact these announcements have become a criteria to measure development work carried out in respective areas. And announcements made by Chief Minister during winter sojourn grab attention of the public and many announcements were expected in election year. And the government has made its intentions clear with the first big announcement in January.
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh tried to provide relief to half of the population of the state by declaring Dharamshala as second capital of the hill state with an eye on more than thirty assembly segments. Huge pressure on the government is needed to get any area declared as capital. But this decision taken by government without no pressure should be welcomed by people of lower Himachal. In fact pressure has been maintained even in the past by many to break Kangra district. Shimla besides state capital is also a popular tourist spot. Tough geographical conditions of Shimla and burgeoning tourists population is increasing traffic and parking problems with each passing day. Not only tourists but even local people have to face the problems and finding solution to these problems is not easy. However shifting few offices from Shimla to Dharamshala could ease out this problem to a certain extent.
There will be financial burden on the state due to the second capital but it will be correct use of the state exchequer because the money will be used for people’s welfare. Granting second capital status to Dharamshala should be viewed positively.
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