Page 11 - Himachal Pradesh Government

Himachal Pradesh govt to cover 1,800 hectares for orange production

The Himachal Pradesh government has proposed to cover 1,800 hectares of land in the state for orange production, under HP Subtropical Horticulture, Irrigation and Value Addition (SHIVA) project, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said. State Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi-led delegation, which is on a six-day tour to Australia as part of the project, observed the micro-grafting technique in orange cultivation, besides discussing citrus pathology programme and national citrus repository programme, a statement issued here on Saturday said. The HP SHIVA project has been funded by the Asian Development Bank. Citrus fruits are grown in plain areas of the state where the maximum temperature is between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius. This is a key initiative of the state government to gain technical knowledge from Australia and utilise it to guide local horticulturists for improving the sector, the chief minister said, adding that this will help in preparing high quality orange plan

3,500 phone connections obtained via fraudulent means disconnected: HP

Nearly 3,500 mobile phones procured for cybercrime and phishing through fraudulent means have been disconnected by the Himachal Pradesh unit of telecommunication department, according to a statement issued on Wednesday. The department used artificial intelligence (AI) and other techniques to identify the mobile connections obtained through fraudulent means and detected 3,491 connections given by telecom service providers in the state, it said. Additional Director General (ADG) at HP telecommunications Ranbir Singh said fake connections have been cancelled.

Himachal govt to rebrand State Handicrafts Corporation as 'Him-Craft': CM

The Himachal government is all set to rebrand the State Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation Ltd as 'Him-Craft', Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Saturday. Branding is crucial for any product and the new brand name will help in promoting and branding all handicrafts and handloom products made by artisans and weavers of the state. The move is aimed at increasing the income of artisans and expanding their customer base for economic growth and greater financial stability, a statement issued here said. This will ensure authenticity, enhance customer satisfaction and build trust for the state's handicrafts and handloom products, Sukhu said adding that the new trade name will be reflected in all official documents, including business cards, letterheads, email signatures and the official website, consolidating all handloom and handicrafts products under a single umbrella brand. The Handloom and Handicraft products made by the artisans of Himachal are in great demand in the ..

Himachal Cabinet approves monthly incentive of Rs 1,500 for women of Spiti

The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, presided over by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu, decided to provide Rs 1,500 per month as Indira Gandhi Mahila Samman Nidhi to all eligible women of the Spiti Valley

Himachal government constitutes task force to curb illegal mining

Ramping up efforts to check illegal mining in Himachal Pradesh, the state government has set up a task force that will review actions taken by various departments in this regard. The state government is trying to increase revenue through scientific mining but at the same time it is also serious about curbing illegal mining, a statement issued here said on Monday. 'Flying Squads' have been deployed at different places to curb illegal mining in border areas and the mining staff is conducting raids in industrial belts such as Baddi, Brotiwala and Nalagarh during odd hours to check illegal mining in these, a spokesperson of the state government said. Mining Departmental officials are dismantling illegal roads carved out by the mining mafia at the inter-state borders to check illegal mining. The department has also initiated the process to identify private land being used for the extraction of illegal minerals by the locals in the Baddi, Barotiwala and Nalagarh Development Authority ...

Himachal govt regularises services of contractual, daily wage employees

The Himachal Pradesh government will regularise the services of its contractual employees who have completed two years in March this year, a statement issued here on Sunday said. The state government has also decided to regularise services of the daily waged workers completing four years of service as of March 31, 2023, and September 30, 2023. Services of the contractual employees, who have completed two years of service as on March 31, 2023, would be regularised besides those who are due to complete two years of service by September 30, 2023, the statement said. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the present state government is committed to the welfare of the employees and has taken various measures to benefit its employees.

Cong govt mulling to legalise hemp cultivation to boost economy in Himachal

They say there is a huge demand for opium, an extract of the poppy, in the pharmaceutical industry. Also, the climatic condition in the state is congenial for its cultivation

Obtain fresh environment clearances: HC to bidders of Goa's mining blocks

The Goa bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday ordered the successful bidders of the recently-auctioned mining blocks in the state to obtain fresh environmental clearances (ECs). A division bench comprising Justices Mahesh Sonak and Valmiki Menezes of the high court passed the order. The ruling is likely to delay the resumption of the state's iron ore mining operations that came to a standstill in 2018 after the Supreme Court quashed 88 mining leases. In December last year, the Goa government had said that it completed the first phase of auction of mining blocks with four companies winning bids for the extraction of ore from different mineral rich stretches of the coastal state. The mining industry used to be one of the major revenue earners for the state. "We clarify that fresh ECs will have to be obtained even by the successful bidders...," the high court said in its order. The Goa Foundation had submitted an intervention application over a petition filed by mining firm ...

HP govt signs MoU with Oil India to develop new renewable energy sources

"We clarify that fresh ECs will have to be obtained even by the successful bidders...," the high court said in its order

Govt offices in Himachal to go paperless, CM Sukhu instructs IT dept

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Monday directed the IT department officials to complete all the formalities for e-office implementation in the government offices in the state in a timely manner. "The state government's vision is to create a digitally advanced state with secure, accessible, digital infrastructure for effective governance," he said. The chief minister added that plans were underway to incorporate technology in various sectors and the IT department should take a lead in building a robust digital infrastructure across the state. All the branches of the Himachal Pradesh Secretariat, Directorates, Deputy Commissioner (DC) offices, Superintendent of Police (SP) offices and field offices are expected to go paperless from July 1, according to an official statement. The state has 109 branches of the secretariat, 70 directorates, 12 deputy commissioner offices and 14 SP offices, all of which will become paperless under the e-office system, it said. The

Himachal govt hosts civic reception in honour of President Murmu

The Himachal Pradesh government on Tuesday hosted a civic reception and dinner at the Raj Bhavan here in honour of President Droupadi Murmu who is on a four-day visit to the state. The President planted a sapling of rhododendron in the Raj Bhavan premises. In his welcome address, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla said the President's life has been inspirational and her efforts in social welfare and education sectors are exceptional, especially in promoting innovation. He said Himachal Pradesh's journey since 1948 has been a great example of inclusive development and social upliftment. Every region of the state has a tale to tell, the tale of its valour, its culture and traditions and its mesmerising natural beauty, Shukla added. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu greeted the Murmu on her maiden visit to the state. He said she was an inspiration for all as she has been consistently working for the upliftment of the backward and weaker sections of society. Sukhu thanked the President

Three years into pandemic, Himachal sees 14% decline in suicide cases

The spurt in number of suicides witnessed in the immediate wake of the COVID pandemic due to job loss, poor health, and uncertainty about future, has relented a little, declining by 14 per cent from 889 in 2021 to 758 in 2022. A total of 2,502 persons committed suicide in the past three years between 2020 and 2022 with a majority of them men at 1,710 and the rest 792 women. As per the data procured from the police department, 709 persons committed suicide in 2019 with the number rising to 855 and 889 in 2020 and 2021 respectively during the peak COVID 19 pandemic. According to police, the maximum number of people who committed suicide were labourers (28 per cent) followed by housewives (24 per cent), students (11 per cent), private employees (10 per cent), businessmen and government employees (4 per cent each), farmers (three per cent), and others (16 per cent). The suicide cases were attributed to marriage related issue, financial issues, drug addiction, sickness, unemployment, ..

Himachal Pradesh launches project Sanjeevani to empower dairy farmers

Himachal Pradesh's economy is largely banking on agriculture and animal husbandry. With a livestock population of about 4.41 million, their care is an essential part of every rural household

Politics and governance in Himachal Pradesh

CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is on a roll, but complacency could lead to trouble because governance alone is not the key to a successful tenure - politics is, as well

Himachal govt proposes to impose Rs 10 milk cess on liquor bottles

The Himachal Pradesh government in the budget for 2023-24 has proposed to impose a Rs 10 milk cess on liquor bottles sold in the state, which is expected to fetch Rs 100 crore every year to the state exchequer. Recently, the state government has decided to purchase cow and buffalo milk to increase the income of milk producers. Announcing the imposition of Rs 10 per cess on liquor bottles in the budget for 2023-24, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the income generated would be used to increase the income of milk producers through higher milk production. The chief minister also announced the launch of the "Him-Ganga" scheme to develop a milk-based economy in the state. Under the scheme, cattle rearers will be provided true cost-based milk prices and qualitative improvement will be brought into the system of milk procurement, processing and marketing. The state government will ensure that milk producers, especially the poorer sections, are protected from ...

Women have played important role in nation building: HP Dy CM Agnihotri

Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on Wednesday said women have always played a significant role in society and nation building. He said the International Women's Day is an opportunity to go beyond empowering women and honour the talent hidden in them. He said Himachal Pradesh is the land of God and our society has a tradition of giving respect to women. He said there has been a significant contribution of women in society and nation building. He was presiding over a district level programme organized at Lata Mangeshkar Kala Kendra here on the occasion of International Women's Day. He said lift, cameras, ropeway and escalator will be installed in all the temple premises across the state.

Attention must be paid to road conditions in border areas with China: HP CM

The road conditions in the border areas with China are not in good condition, and attention should be paid to it, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said after his meeting with Rajnath Singh

Determined to provide an investment-friendly environment in HP: CM Sukhu

Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday said that the industries play an important contribution in building an advanced Himachal Pradesh

World-class cancer hospital to be constructed in Hamirpur: Himachal CM

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said a world-class cancer hospital will be set up at Jol Sapper village here, close to the Hamirpur Medical College which is under construction. The chief minister said facilities like robotic surgery will be introduced in the medical college to facilitate the patients. Jol Sapper falls under the Nadaun assembly seat which is represented by Sukhu in the state assembly. Sukhu said that eighteen Rajiv Gandhi day-boarding schools will also be constructed in the state in the next financial year for which land has already been identified, according to an official release. He said the state government has planned to build these schools in each assembly constituency in a phased manner. The schools will be built on more than 100 kanal of land and will provide modern facilities and quality education to the students, he said. Sukhu on Sunday announced that a 100-bed hospital will be built in Sujanpur and said that two denotified institutions

Industries minister inaugurates Himachal Pavilion at Pharma Live Expo

The state government participated in the country's largest pharma expo to showcase the pharma ecosystem and invite potential medical devices players for investments