Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has raised the demand for a Trans-Himalayan Authority in order to effectively address the issues concerning hill states.

At the first-ever conclave of four hill states, convened here on Thursday, Dhumal alleged that small states have always got a raw deal from the Centre.

“This is an era of coalitions and Himalayan states should come together so that their voices can be heard loud and clear,” he said, addressing horticulture ministers of the four states.

Besides Himachal Pradesh, horticulture ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh attended the conclave. Dhumal offered to write to the chief ministers of all hill states so that a common platform could be formed to seek a separate policy for the development of these states.

“Hill states have common geographical conditions and common set of problems as well. Hence, the Himalayan states require a special treatment. This issue has already been raised with the Centre,” he added.

Dhumal also voiced concerns of these states regarding China building a railway line till Lhasa in Tibet and wondered how could the Centre ignore the need to have a parallel rail connectivity to Leh.

He has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to extend Pathankot and Jogindernagar railway lines till Manali and Leh.

He sought Jammu and Kashmir CM Ghulam Nabi Azad’s support to pressurise the Centre to accept this demand.