Page 12 - Himachal Pradesh Government

Himachal to collaborate with ISB for policy inputs in bio-energy sector: CM

The Himachal Govt is all set to partner with the Indian School of Business (ISB) to provide policy inputs and research support for the emerging bio-energy sector, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said

Himachal to start bio-energy production from pine needles, bamboo: CM

Himachal Pradesh will start a pilot project for bio-energy production from pine needles and bamboo as the state is blessed with an enormous wealth of coniferous forest and has a high potential for bamboo production, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said. The project would involve the local community and increase their income. The state government is all set to partner with the Indian School of Business (ISB) to provide policy inputs and research support for the emerging bio-energy sector, he said in a statement issued here on Saturday. "Many sectors like thermal power, cement and steel were exploring fossil fuel substitutes to reduce emissions. The scope can be expanded to include fuel briquettes made from pine needles as potential substitutes, which has the advantage of much higher calorific value and this would also pave the way for strengthening the rural economy," said Sukhu. ISB would provide the business model and technology to make this project a success and would also .

Bus carrying DU students overturns in Himachal, one dead, 40 injured

A private bus carrying a group of Delhi University students on a trip to Manali overturned here on Friday, leaving a young woman dead and 40 others injured, officials said. There were 44 people in the bus, including 35 women students from Kamala Nehru College and six coordinators for the group, SDM Bilaspur, Abhishek Kumar Garg said. The accident took place on Chandigarh-Manali road. One student, hailing from Jaipur, was crushed to death while four others suffered fractures and rest minor injuries, the officials said. Passersby pulled out the injured from the bus and rushed them to the Bilaspur Regional Hospital. One passenger was referred to PGI Chandigarh and two to AIIMS Bilaspur. Police have registered a case of rash and negligent driving against the driver of the bus. The driver and the conductor fled the spot after the accident, Garg added.

Himachal CM launches UPI e-services for Kangra Central Cooperative Bank

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday launched Unified Payment Interface (UPI) and 'Swadhan-e-pension-Gov' services for Kangra Central Cooperative Bank. He said that the introduction of these services would benefit thousands of account holders of the bank. The introduction of UPI service would make the bank transactions easier and quicker, especially for the elderly and those living in the remote areas. Sukhu lauded the efforts of the Kangra Central Cooperative Bank for the initiative and assured them of all possible help from the State Government. The Chief Minister also released the annual calendar of the Bank on the occasion.

Himachal Cabinet brings HPPSC under law preventing exam malpractices

The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Wednesday decided to bring the state's public service commission within the ambit of a law enacted to prevent malpractices at university, board and other examinations, according to a release. The decision to bring the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission under the Himachal Pradesh Prevention of Malpractices at University, Board or Other Specified Examinations Act, 1984, aims to ensure fair and transparent selection of candidates. On February 21, the government dissolved the Himachal Pradesh Staff Selection Commission after the paper for the Junior Office Assistant (IT) was leaked and transferred all ongoing recruitment to the public service commission. It was decided at the meet to fill nine posts of the Himachal Pradesh Administrative Services on a regular basis through the public service commission. The Cabinet also approved the creation of 45 posts of different categories for Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres in all 11 civil and sessions

Himachal Pradesh approves 34 industrial projects of Rs 1,754 cr investment

Himachal Pradesh's Single Window Clearance and Monitoring Authority approved 34 projects for setting up new industrial enterprises and the expansion of existing units in its 26th meeting held on February 28, an official release said on Wednesday. These projects involve a total proposed investment of Rs 1,754.44 crores (approximately) with employment avenues for about 3,635 persons. The meeting, held late on Tuesday, was chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the release said. The new proposals have been approved for manufacturing frozen snacks, bathroom fittings and accessories, LPG cylinder refilling, Bulletproof Ballistic Helmets and Jacket, bottles, containers and other items. The projects approved in the pharma sector included projects for manufacturing of dry syrups, tablet, capsule, ointment, dry and liquid injections, inhalers, nasal sprays, eye and ear drops and pre-filled syringes.

Plantation on degraded land to be taken up on large scale: Himachal CM

The Himachal Pradesh government has started an initiative to restore degraded forest landscapes for which the forest department has identified more than 256 hectares of barren forest land in all 12 districts, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Tuesday. He was presiding over the first meeting of the governing body of the Himachal Pradesh State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (HP CAMPA). "Instead of raising plantations in a sporadic manner, it should be done in a planned manner on the barren hills and other large open patches in a phased manner in the entire state," he said in the meeting. Sukhu said the plantation should be done keeping in mind the suitable climatic conditions. The forest department has identified such areas in all the 12 districts of the state covering more than 256 hectares of barren forest land along with a five-year maintenance period with a proposed outlay of around Rs. 8.83 crores, he said. A dedicated staff would

Former Union minister Shiv Pratap Shukla takes oath as Himachal Governor

Former Union Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla on Saturday took oath as the 29th Governor of Himachal Pradesh at Raj Bhawan here. Shukla was administered the oath of office and secrecy by acting Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court Justice Sabina. He took oath in Sanskrit. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was also present at the swearing-in ceremony. Himachal Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena read out the warrant of appointment. Before taking oath, Shukla performed 'yajana' along with family members. Later, interacting with the media, the governor said that it was a high constitutional post and he would work in coordination with the state government. Expressing gratitude to the President of India for his appointment, the governor said that he would work in accordance with the Constitution and complete the work started by previous governors. He also said Himachal Pradesh is a leading state in field of education and now he would contribute towards quality .

Himachal Pradesh Cabinet approves scheme for orphans, destitute women

The orphan children, referred to as 'Children of the State', will be adopted by the government

Himachal government plans to set up various solar projects through PPP mode

The Himachal Pradesh government plans to set up various solar projects through Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, which will provide clean power to consumers at cheaper rates and help in reducing carbon footprints, an official statement said on Wednesday. Big private players and major Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) of the country have assured to invest in the state in this vital sector. According to the statement, Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) is coming up with five solar power projects (SPPs), in Himachal Pradesh. Thaplan solar power project of 112.5 MW is being set up in district Una. In addition to this, 20 MW SPP Bhanjal and Kadh in Una district, 20 MW in Fatehpur in Kangra district, 30 MW SPP Kolar in Sirmaur district and 12.5 MW in Rajgir in district Kangra are in pre-construction stage. To envision the concept of green Himachal, the government has promised to extend all possible support to the executing agency for setting up these projects and take necessary

ADB approves USD 130 million loan for promoting horticulture in HP

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 130 million (over Rs 1,072 crore) loan to increase agricultural productivity and promote horticulture agribusinesses to raise farmers' income in Himachal Pradesh. More than half of Himachal Pradesh's land area is in the mountains and 90 per cent of the population lives in rural areas who are dependent on agriculture, said ADB Senior Natural Resources and Agriculture Specialist for South Asia Sunae Kim. "Improving subtropical horticulture in the state offers a lot of economic opportunities to farmer households. Supporting horticulture value chains will also boost the subsector's contribution to the country's development and food security," Kim said. The Himachal Pradesh Subtropical Horticulture, Irrigation, and Value Addition Project will help increase the income and resilience to the effects of climate change of at least 15,000 farm households in Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Sirmour, Solan, and Una. The project will improve

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

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

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.

Sukhu meets Prez Murmu, V-P Dhankhar to discuss pension schemes in Delhi

Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday called on the President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar

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

Himachal CM orders detailed report of landslides, sinking zones in state

The chief minister also issued instructions to identify the major causes of road accidents in the state

Himachal CM Sukhu urges Centre to enhance disaster fund for state

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has urged the Union government to enhance the disaster fund for Himachal Pradesh as the State is prone to various types of natural disasters due to difficult topographical and climatic conditions. He was speaking at the inauguration function after setting up of Doppler Weather Radars at Jot in Chamba district and Murari Devi in Mandi district by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Jitendra Singh through virtual mode on Sunday. A Doppler Weather Radar was installed at Kufri near Shimla on January 15, 2021 and with the commissioning of these additional two radars, about 70 per cent area of the State will be covered for weather forecast, a statement released here said. Stating that about 30 per cent area of the tribal Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts will not be covered under these Radars, he urged the Union Minister of State to provide additional Radar for these districts. He said that cloud bursts have