Page 5 - Himachal Pradesh

First Budget of Congress govt will be people-centric, says HP CM Sukhu

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday in Nadaun said that the first budget of his government will be "people-centric" and the change will be for all to see in a year. The government was maintaining financial discipline considering the overall fiscal position of the state and few stringent decisions will have to be taken to bring it back on track, he said. "Wait for one year, you will find change in the system," Sukhu said addressing people in his home constituency, which he reached five hours ahead of the schedule. The Chief Minister said the government was committed to work for the welfare of every last man in the state. He assured the people that there won't be a dearth of funds for the construction of Dr Radhakrishnan Medical College in Hamirpur and it will be equipped with the latest technology to become the model health institution from the state. The government will open a nursing college in the premises of the medical college, he added. Earlier i

BJP will fight Congress' Tughlaqi decrees through campaign: Jai Ram Thakur

Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday said that the BJP will fight hard against the state Congress government's "Tughlaqi" orders of closing down of several institutions started under his dispensation. A continuous process of closure of hundreds of institutions opened by the previous BJP government for "public welfare" is underway and the BJP will restore these institutions with the help of the public through a signature campaign, he asserted. Addressing the State Working Committee, he said that BJP lost the previous state election by a margin of 0.9 per cent, and that this was the first ever time in the state's history that a government was formed on the back of such a slim margin. "It will not last long." Highlighting the previous BJP governments works, he said they were successful in getting the state a Bulk Pharma park, a medical device park, AIIMS, medical colleges, and also managed to construct 5,000 km of roads. He said that

Himachal BJP lauds Modi as 'world leader' in working committee resolution

The BJP state working committee in Una on Sunday approved a party resolution in which it hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as 'world leader' and said that the ancient Indian precept of 'One Earth, One Family' is nearing its realisation under his leadership. The resolution said: "This proposal is coming up in the State Working Committee of Himachal Pradesh at a time when India is presiding over the G-20 summit. India is proud to be the host country." It said that by presiding over the G-20 meeting in India, India will work to promote the concept of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'. The resolution, moved by former state president Dr Rajeev Bindal and approved by all, said, "Today we have the means to produce enough, to meet the basic needs of all people in the world." The State Working Committee congratulated Jagat Prakash Nadda on the extension of his term as National President of the BJP, and said that it was a matter of pride that the national president of the world's biggest political .

Bridge collapses after landslide in Himachal's Chamba, traffic halted

According to State Emergency Operation Centre officials, the incident took place at Loona area of Bharmour village in the outskirts of Chamba district

Environmentalists concerned over reducing snow cover, rising temp in Shimla

Harsh winters with heavy snowfalls beginning in December itself, covering Shimla in a white mantle of snow till March-end or even early April have become a thing of the past now. The Himachal Pradesh capital, which used to be draped in white and attract tourists from all over, now mostly presents a brownish look with dry grass covering the hills. There is growing concern among environmentalists and locals over the rising temperatures and depleting snow cover that the snow line is moving upwards and the "Queen of Hills" gradually losing her winter charm. Its effect now is more visible than ever in the hill city's dwindling winter tourist inflow and drying water sources. According to climate experts, the snow line is receding and Shimla's adjoining tourist towns Kufri and Narkanda, popular skiing destinations, too are experiencing scanty snowfall. The state capital's tourism industry is taking a hit due to the falling numbers and there is a dire need to find more tourist spots and ..

Himachal's industry dept to hold talks with Adani to end cement impasse: CM

The Himachal Pradesh government is all set to end the impasse created by the closure of two cement factories and indefinite strike by truck operators union and the industries minister will hold talks with the Adani group to resolve the issue, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Saturday. Talking to reporters at the NIT helipad here, Sukhu, who is on a three days tour of his home district Hamirpur, said the transporters' union representing truckers engaged by the two Adani group-owned cement plants in Bilaspur and Solan districts have proposed their rates and concerned officers have been directed to fix a meeting with the factory management. Two cement plants at Barmana (Bilaspur district) and Darlaghat (Solan district) owned by ACC Limited and Ambuja Cements, respectively, have been closed since December 14 due to a dispute over freight charges. Taking a dig at BJP leaders, especially former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on the issue of granting old pension scheme to the .

Cases for violating Covid-19 protocol withdrawn: Himachal CM Sukhu

The cases for violating Covid-19 protocol have been withdrawn, said Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here on Thursday

Diarrhoea cases in Himachal villages cross 1,200-mark in last three days

Diarrhoea cases in villages of Hamirpur district's Nadaun sub-division are estimated to have crossed 1,200 in the last three days, Health department officials said on Tuesday. The exact figure will be available later in the day, they said. According to government data, 868 cases were reported till Monday night. Of the total, one patient is undergoing treatment at the hospital. Nadaun is the assembly constituency of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Preliminary tests of water samples have not indicated any contamination, Jal Shakti department officials said. Neeraj Bhogal, a superintending engineer in the department, said water samples of all schemes on Kunah khad would be taken daily and sent to a laboratory in Chandigarh. The Chandigarh lab is better equipped for such tests. Until the water quality is ascertained, it will not be supplied, he said. Water to the affected villages is supplied from nearby khads under various schemes of the Jal Shakti ...

Budget 2023: Tour operators in Himachal demand packages to revive industry

Travel agents and transporters said they were expecting low-interest rates on loans for tourism business

Budget 2023: Growers want apples put under special category, seek subsidies

Apple growers and other horticulturists in Himachal Pradesh said they were hopeful of getting special provisions in the Union Budget to boost trade of Himachali apples.The growers said they were also looking forward to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman giving more clarity on import duty on apples procured from overseas to India or bringing the apples under a special category in World Trade Organisation (WTO).The farmers also demand subsidies in fertilisers and provision of MSP for apples on a par with Jammu and Kashmir."We are hopeful of special budgetary provisions for us. Inflation has hit everyone in the country, and the cost of production is going up. There is an urgent need for subsidy on fertilisers and pesticides for horticulture. We also are looking for more clarity from the finance ministry on imposition the 100% import duty on apples (from overseas), as imported apples, especially from China and Iran, hit our peak apple season, resulting in the prices of our produce going ..

Himachal Pradesh to have advance warning system to mitigate disasters

In view of the land subsidence in Uttarakhand's Joshimath, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday directed for developing an advance warning system to mitigate disasters and improve the disaster management response capacity system. The decision of the chief minister will go a long way in identifying the areas more prone to earthquakes and also help prepare a detailed report of landslides and sinking zones, a government spokesperson said here. The chief minister also felt the need to strengthen the response and awareness system besides preparedness at the institutional and individual level. He also directed to enhance the support being provided to the state electricity board through the State Disaster Response Fund and for the necessary amendment in the State Disaster Relief Manual, the spokesperson added. Sukhu also directed for proper mapping of glaciers through new and advanced technology and conducting a study of the areas more prone to ...

Fresh snow disrupts daily life, chokes traffic in Himachal's higher reaches

The higher reaches and tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh on Monday received moderate to heavy snowfall, choking traffic and disrupting daily life. The snow led to the closure of 484 roads, including three national highways, for vehicular traffic. Moderate to heavy snow was recorded in parts of Shimla, Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, Kullu and Chamba districts. Rohtang pass, Chitkul and the Atal Tunnel's south portal received 75 cm snow, followed by Khadrala in Shimla district at 60 cm, Solang at 55 cm, Kothi at 45 cm, Sangala at 41.5 cm, Kalpa at 39.2 cm, Narkanda and Kaza at 30 cm each, Pooh at 28 cm, Khoksar at 18 cm, Shillaroo at 17.5 cm, Tissa at 17 cm, Chopal and Kufri at 16 cm, Keylong and Samdo at 14 cm each and Manali at 3 cm. Icy winds pummelled the region with the Met office issuing an 'orange' alert for heavy rain/snow at isolated places in the mid and high hills of Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Lahaul & Spiti and Kinnaur later in the day. It has also predicted ...

Identify land on priority basis for flagship schemes: Himachal CM tells DCs

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday directed the deputy commissioners to identify land till February 10 for the implementation of the state government's flagship schemes. The schemes include heliport connectivity, electric vehicle charging stations and land for Rajiv Gandhi day boarding schools. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has appointed a consultant for constructing heliports in each district and the consultant may be consulted while making the norms, he said during a video-conference meeting with the DCs. "The land may be transferred in the name of the concerned department without delay," he added. Sukhu also directed the officials of the state electricity board for proper load augmentation for charging stations. The wayside amenities will also be developed along the charging stations, which will not only facilitate the commuters but will also be an added attraction from a tourism point of view, he added. To provide quality and modernised education to the

Previous BJP govt left debt of Rs 75,000 cr: Himachal CM on statehood day

Extending greetings on the 53rd statehood day celebrations, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday said the previous BJP government left a debt of Rs 75,000 crore

CM Sukhu resolves to make HP corruption-free, put economy back on rails

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday said his government will make Himachal Pradesh corruption-free state and put the economy back on rails. He also announced plans to start robotic surgery facilities at the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital at Tanda and Hamirpur medical college to provide better health facilities at affordable rates for the people. Presiding over the 53rd Statehood Day function at Hamirpur, Sukhu said his government to root out graft and make the state corruption-free. Asserting that graft would not be allowed at any level and corrupt elements would be put behind bars, he said suspension of HP Subordinate staff selection commission was a step in this direction. Blaming the previous BJP government for putting the state under debt liability of Rs 75,000 crore and committed liabilities of over Rs 11,000 crore pertaining to arrears and DA of employees and pensioners, Sukhu said his government was determined to bring the economy back on rails and

Shimla municipal wards' delimitation was in public interest: Ex-minister

Bhardwaj said the government has promulgated an ordinance to overturn the previous decision to enhance municipal wards from 34 to 41

Himachal seeks Rs 350 cr from centre for Phina Singh irrigation project

HP Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on Monday sought an assistance of Rs 350 crore from the Centre for the completion of the Phina Singh medium irrigation project that started in 2011.

Joint Kisan Manch seeks policy for farmers, horticulturists in Himachal

The Joint Kisan Manch of various organisations of farmers and horticulturists has urged Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to take necessary steps to provide relief to the farmers in view of the rising cost of inputs and abolish GST on cartons and materials for packing. The organisation wrote a letter to the CM in view of the rising cost of inputs, levying of GST and increasing interference of corporate houses and companies, procuring the produce at very low prices. The members of the manch urged the government to come out with some concrete policy for farmers and horticulturists while also demanding the abolition of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on cartons and materials used for the packing of apples, fruits, vegetables and flowers. The Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation Ltd. (HPMC) and Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Marketing And Consumer's Federation Ltd. (HIMFED) be asked to release outstanding payments of more than Rs 90 crore for

Hoping to resolve dispute between transporters, cement factories: HP Min

Himachal Pradesh Industry Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said that the dispute between the truck operators and cement plant owners will be resolved soon

Himachal Pradesh targets to be first 'green energy state' by 2025: CM Sukhu

The Himachal Pradesh government intends to make the state as the first Green Energy State by the end of 2025 by harnessing hydro, hydrogen and solar energy and switching to green products, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Friday. Presiding over a meeting of senior officers of the energy department and HPSEBL, he directed all the concerned departments including HPSEBL, HIMURJA, Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) and the Department of Energy to initiate action in this direction and make policy changes, wherever required. He said that refurbishing the present system is essential and the departments should focus on harnessing green energy in the best interest of the State. To ease the norms, the Chief Minister directed the officers to make necessary amendments to the existing power policy and open all the solar projects up to 5 MW capacity for allotment. The state government would also invest in solar plants and will install 500 MW solar projects during the