'Sharmas's presence in Cabinet will ensure HP's development'

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today expressed the hope that the state will get legitimate assistance in all sectors that would justify its special category status with the induction of a Rajya Sabha member from the hill state into the UPA government Cabinet.

"People of the state look forward to more liberal central assistance and schemes that could help the state make rapid strides on all developmental fronts. Such assistance would justify the special category status given to the state," Dhumal told reporters.
    
"Since Anand Sharma has been sworn in as a Cabinet rank Minister at the Centre, the state expects him take all pending issues to the logical conclusion," he said. Sharma, a Congress Rajya Sabha member from the state, has been promoted to Cabinet rank minister in the new UPA government.