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Ravi S Singh
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, February 19
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on Monday met Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and urged her for creation of a ‘Himachal Regiment’ in the Indian Army.
He also requested for speedy development of Kangra airport which could be also be used for defence purposes.
Making out a case for the regiment, he highlighted on the exemplary services rendered by soldiers hailing from Himachal Pradesh in the defence forces, including more than 1,200 making supreme sacrifices.
As many as 1,100 gallantry awards, including four PVC, have been conferred to Himachalis, he added.
According to a state government spokesperson, Thakur also urged for increase in the state’s recruitment quota in the armed forces which had been reduced after implementation of RMP (Recruitable Male Population) concept. Dwelling on the issue, he said preferred career choice for the state’s youth was armed forces.
Referring to Kangra airport, he batted for its expansion which, besides being used for civilian flights, would also enable its use for defence purposes including landing of fighter planes and heavy aircrafts.
He suggested that the airport’s expansion would also add to country’s security contingencies as it would open an alternative to Pathankot airport as a second line of defence on account of its strategic location, including its safe distance from the borders.
He said the airport’s expansion project would entail acquisition of additional 571 acre, the cost of which will need to be met by the Defence Ministry.
Thakur also sought the ministry’s support in shifting war equipment to War Memorial at Dharamsala which has been constructed as a tribute to brave martyrs.
He also urged for taking forward the case of Manali-Leh railway line which is strategically important to the nation from the perspective of country’s defence.
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