Winter death toll in Himachal at 23

15 people killed in tribal Kinnaur district, while 8 died in the adjoining Shimla district

Even as spring has set in the hills of Himachal Pradesh , the hill state is still counting its winter losses . At least 23 people were killed across the state in snow related incidents .

"Due to heavy snowfall 15 people were killed in tribal Kinnaur district , while 8 died in the adjoining Shimla district . 208 heads of cattle also perished ," the state's revenue minister Kaul Singh told the house here Wednesday.

"Even though the loss was still being assessed so far property worth Rs 229 crore has taken place ,"the minister said

So far over Rs 121 crore has been distributed to various departments .

Shimla MLA Suresh Bharadwaj wanted to know about the damage caused to apple orchards by the heavy snowfall .

In reply the revenue minister said the damage was indeed huge to apple trees in the apple belt spread over Shimla , Kinnaur and Kullu districts .

In reply to another question on local timber distribution(TD) rights in the state , forest minister Thakur Singh Bharmauri told the house that the government was reviewing the existing TD policy and a decision in this regard would be taken soon.