Special status for Uttaranchal

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MAY 2. The Cabinet today decided to confer ``special category'' status on Uttaranchal, recently carved out of Uttar Pradesh. The decision would mean a more liberal flow of Central assistance to the new State in the Himalayan region.

The Cabinet, which met here this morning, also decided to declare the year, starting from April 23, the ``year of books'' to bring about greater awareness on the importance of promoting book reading and to boost the development of the book industry. Further, in a bid to boost tourism to Himachal Pradesh, it was decided to rename the Jhubberhatti airport near Shimla and the Bhuntar airport near Kullu-Manali. The airports would now be called as Shimla and Kullu-Manali airports.

Announcing the decisions, the Union Minister and Cabinet spokesperson, Mr. Pramod Mahajan, said the airports were being renamed as tourists, by and large, were not aware they could use them to reach the important hill stations because of their obscure names.

On the special status to Uttaranchal, he said it was nothing unusual. Special category status was accorded to States, which had hilly and difficult terrain, low population density, strategic location, economic and infrastructural backwardness and non-viable nature of the States' finances. Uttaranchal would be the 11th State to be conferred the status. The special status is with retrospective effect, from April 1.

The Cabinet also decided to give an additional benefit to retired Chief Justices of India in the form of an allowance of Rs. 10,000 a month for engaging secretarial assistants. The benefit would, however, not be applicable for those who were part of various commissions.

It was also decided to sign an agreement with Poland for cooperation in combating organised crime and international terrorism.

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