Page 21 - Himachal Pradesh

Cong alleges BJP planning for horse trading in HP as polls for RS underway

On Monday, the BJP nominee complained to the Chief Election Commissioner saying that the Congress has issued a three-line whip to its MLAs for the polls, which he said was unethical

Himachal govt earned Rs 91 cr from milk cess on liquor: Industries minister

Himachal Pradesh government earned Rs 90.78 crore from milk cess of Rs 10 per bottle on liquor and the figure is likely to touch Rs 100 crore, Industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said on Monday. The state government earned Rs 90.78 crore from milk cess on liquor till January 31, 2024, Chauhan said during the Question Hour in Vidhan Sabha. Replying to a question of Randhir Sharma (BJP) and Kewal Singh Pathania (Congress), on behalf of the chief minister, the minister said that the money would be used for increasing the income of milk producers and strengthening the milk sector infrastructure. He said that the liquor vends in 2023-24 were allotted through Auction-cum-Tenders and the reserve price was kept at Rs 1,446 crore but the actual auction amount was Rs 1,815 crore which was 40 per cent more as compared to the previous year (2022-23). The income from excise from the new policy increased by Rs 515 crore and against a target of Rs 2,350.81 crore from Excise policy, revenue o

HP records 6% increase in tourist arrivals in 2023 despite disruptions

Tourist arrivals in Himachal Pradesh increased from 1.51 crore in 2022 to 1.60 crore last year, despite the disruptions caused by heavy rainfall, floods and landslides in mid-2023. In the first half of 2023, more than one crore tourists -- 99,78,504 domestic and 28,239 foreign -- had visited the state till June. But tourist inflow completely stopped during the monsoon due to heavy rainfall, flash floods and landslides, and disruption caused by these, an official said. Himachal Pradesh suffered losses to the tune of Rs 9,905.77 crore due to the July and August rains, and more than 200 people were killed in rain-related incidents and accidents. Several people were also displaced. In one instance, 75,000 stranded tourists had to be evacuated from the state on July 9 and 10 after roads were blocked in the hill state, according to government data. Following the monsoon mayhem, relief and restoration works were undertake on war-footing. The large flow of tourist during the Kullu ...

Parts of HP to receive heavy rain, snow on Feb 18-19; orange warning issued

Parts of Himachal Pradesh are likely to witness heavy rain, snow and thunderstorm accompanied with hail and gusty winds on Sunday and Monday, according to the weather office. On Saturday, the weather remained dry and day temperatures rose marginally with Una recording a high of 27 degrees Celsius. The MeT office issued a yellow warning of heavy to very heavy rain/snow and thunderstorm accompanied with hail, gusty winds and lighting at isolated places on February 18 and 19. It predicted heavy rain/snow and thunderstorm accompanied by gusty wind and lighting at isolated places on February 20 and 21, and heavy rains at most places in lower hills and rains and snow in mid and higher hills as a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayan region from Saturday night. The maximum temperature stayed four to 10 degrees above normal in most places, and Kalpa and Keylong in tribal Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti districts recorded a high of 16 degrees and 4 degrees, 10 and

Himachal Budget: Losses of public sector firms hit Rs 5,143 cr in FY23

Cumulative losses of public sector enterprises in Himachal Pradesh stood at Rs 5,143.46 crore as on March 31, 2023 and 14 out of 23 such units were in the red, according to a state government report. The report on public sector units was tabled in the state assembly on Saturday during the presentation of the annual budget for the next financial year. Himachal Road Transport Corporation topped the list with a loss of Rs 1,966.13 crore, followed by Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board which lost Rs 1,823.97 crore. While HP Power Corporation registered a loss of Rs 6,89.24 crore, HP Power Transmission Corporation lost Rs 372.59 crore. Loss of HP Himachal Financial Corporation stood at Rs 184.83 crore, HP Tourism Development Corporation recorded a loss of Rs 12,663 crore, State Forest Corporation Rs 98.21 crore and Himachal Horticulture Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) Rs 91.20 crore. On the other hand, Himachal Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation was amon

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announces hike in MSP for milk

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday presented the annual Budget of Rs 58,444 crore for 2024-25 with focus on the agriculture sector, and announced an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for milk. Presenting his second state Budget, Sukhu, who also holds the finance portfolio, hiked the MSP of cow milk from Rs 38 to Rs 45 per litre and buffalo milk from Rs 38 to Rs 55 per litre. Himachal is the first state to give MSP on milk, he said. He said liabilities of all milk cooperative societies will be waived off and Rs 150 crore will be spent on strengthening infrastructure for milk procurement and its processing. The CM announced Rajiv Gandhi Prakriyat Kheti Yojna, under which 36,000 farmers -- 10 farmers from every panchayat -- will be trained in natural farming techniques. Sukhu further said universal cartons will be introduced for apple packaging and horticulture tourism will be encouraged. He reiterated the state government's resolve to make

SKM bandh call: Farmers, labourers block Shimla-Kinnaur road in HP

Demanding an adequate compensation for the land acquired for hydro power projects and employment for youths, farmers and labourers of 16 affected panchayats here on Friday blocked the Shimla-Kinnaur road for about two-and-a-half hours. Protestors took out a rally in Nirath Bazaar and later blocked the road, about 110 km from the state capital Shimla. Former CPI(M) MLA Rakesh Singha said that besides addressing the locals' issues, the protest was held to express solidarity with the farmers "facing injustice" at the national level. Now, farmers and labourers are going to organise protests and move forward to fight for their rights until their demands are fulfilled. The main objective was to protest against the project builder allegedly not fulfilling the demands, including adequate compensation and jobs to locals in projects in the area, the protestors said. Long queues of vehicles were seen on both sides of the road blocked by the protestors. People from 16 panchayats have reached h

CM Sukhu presents supplementary Budget of Rs 10,307 cr for 2023-24

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday presented the first and last instalment of the Supplementary budget of Rs 10,307.59 crore, including Rs 7,267.41 crore under State Schemes and Rs 3,040.18 crore under centrally sponsored schemes. Presenting the demands, Sukhu said that major expenditure proposed under the State Schemes included Rs 3,367.76 crore for repayment of ways and means, advance/overdraft, 696.44 crore for water supply and sanitation, Rs 598.71 crore for pensions and other retirement benefits, Rs 442.09 crore for assistance to Himachal Road Transport Corporation, Rs 279.32 crore for construction of hospitals, HIMCARE yojana and Mukhya Mantri Chikitsa Sahayata Kosh. A sum of Rs 215.02 crore proposed for roads and bridges, Rs 110.76 crore construction of multipurpose buildings, Mini Dwarka, Secretariats, State Guest House in New Delhi and maintenance of various office building, Rs 110.67 crore rail projects, Rs 102.47 crore for Urban Local Bodies

Himachal suffered loss of Rs 9,905 cr due to heavy rains: Revenue minister

Himachal Pradesh suffered losses to the tune of Rs 9,905.77 crore due to heavy rains during monsoon in 2023, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said in his reply to a question of Congress MLA Rajinder Rana. Negi said that Rs 1,254.22 crore rupees were released to the districts and various departments for relief and Rs 483.16 crore have been released for compensation. No special package has been provided by the central government for disaster relief to the state and a total of Rs 787.25 crore has been given to the state, he said. Replying to another question of Chaitanya Sharma (Congress), Industry Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said that online registration of workers would be done and gaps would be reviewed. He said that 80 per cent employment is being given to the state's youths in many industries but this is not happening in some industries. He said that Rs 350 per day is given to unskilled labourers, Rs 387 to semi-skilled, Rs 435 to skilled and Rs 518 to highly skilled labourers

Himachal to constitute committee to address grievances, demands of doctors

The Chief Minister said that the State Government was considering all their genuine demands sympathetically, but the financial condition of the State is precarious, a release said

HP govt plans tax concessions for milk producers, agri schemes in Budget

The Himachal Pradesh government will consider giving tax concessions to milk producers and launch innovative schemes to increase the farmers' income in the upcoming budget, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Sunday. The budget session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly will be held from February 14 to 29. The state budget will be presented on February 17. Interacting with the milk producers of the state here, he said the government was encouraging agriculture as an industry to make the farmers self-reliant. "As agriculture and milk production plays a pivotal role in promoting the rural economy, the state government is coming up with innovative schemes to increase the income of farmers in the upcoming budget, results of which would be visible in next two years", he said in a statement issued here. Fundamental changes were being made in the policies and rules to ensure that money goes directly to the farmers, he noted. The government will also consider giving tax concessio

ONDC onboards 11 fair price shops in Himachal Pradesh in pilot initiative

The initiative is a part of ongoing efforts to modernise FPS operations and will serve as a model for statewide & nationwide adoption in the future

180 days maternity leave for female cooks, helpers in edu dept: CM Sukhu

The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to grant 180 days maternity leave to about 17,889 female cook cum helpers working in the education department under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Tuesday. Earlier, there was no such provision of maternity leave for the above category and necessary directions in this regard have been issued to the concerned department, he said in a statement issued here. Sukhu said this decision of the government, which is working for the welfare of the vulnerable sections of the society, will fulfil the long pending demands of mid day meal workers. The government is working with the aim of holistic development of the downtrodden with special focus on child care and women empowerment, he added.

HP budget to focus on improving financial condition of state: CM Sukhu

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said the Himachal Pradesh budget for fiscal year 2024-25 would be framed with a focus on prosperity and improving the financial condition of the state. The Budget session of Himachal Pradesh would be held from February 14 to 29 and the budget would be presented on February 17. The government was working with the aim of 'Vyavastha Parivartan' (change in system) and focusing on rapid improvement in the financial condition of the state, a sttement quoted Sukhu as sayin. The chief minister was speaking in the 'Chaupal' programme organised by a media house in New Delhi, according to a statement issued here. He said the Himachal Pradesh government was committed to the overall development of the state and its citizens. The Congress-led state government has implemented its poll guarantee of restoring the Old Pension Scheme for government employees, Sukhu added. The chief minister said the government aims to develop Himachal Pradesh as a tou

Anurag Thakur flags off first Aastha Special Train from Himachal to Ayodhya

Union Minister Anurag Thakur flags off first Aastha Special Train from Himachal Pradesh to Ayodhya to take pilgrims to the newly built Ram Temple

Drone Didi: IIT Mandi training women to become 'kisan drone operators'

Several women in Himachal Pradesh are receiving training to operate drones for agricultural purpose with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mandi launching "Drone Didi", a one-of-its-kind skill development programme. According to officials, the agricultural drone applications will save time and pesticide and are very cost-effective. This will also reduce the impact of pesticides on human health. Participants are being trained to leverage drone technology for enhanced agricultural practices. "Our vision is to create a paradigm shift in agricultural practices through the empowerment of women. By integrating skill development with drone technology, we are not just training women to become proficient 'kisan drone operators' but are also paving the way for them to emerge as leaders and entrepreneurs in this field. "The aim is to expand its reach, enhance technological capabilities, and continuously evolve to meet the dynamic and operational demands of agriculture and ...

MeT issues heavy snowfall alert in HP, over 4 NH among 500 roads closed

The meteorological department here on Saturday sounded an orange alert for snowfall across Himachal Pradesh for the next two days. It predicted light to moderate snowfall at most places and heavy snowfall at isolated places in mid and high hills of the state. It also cautioned of thunderstorms, lightning and hailstorm in lower areas and predicted a wet spell in the state till February 6. The state saw moderate to heavy snow in several parts on January 31 and February 1 due to which 504 roads, including four national highways, were closed for vehicular traffic, officials said. Shimla, the state's capital, saw a brief spell of snowfall on Saturday bringing cheer to residents and tourists. The city and its adjoining areas witnessed intermittent snowfall with overcast skies. According to the state emergency operation centre, a maximum of 161 roads are blocked in Shimla, 153 in Lahaul and Spiti, 76 in Kullu and 62 in Chamba district and 674 transformers and 44 water supply schemes have

HP govt administrative reshuffle: 6 HPAS, 19 IAS officers transferred

As per the notification by the Himachal Pradesh Government under Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, two HPAS were also given additional charges in the public interest

Nabard's Rs 34,490 cr scheme to boost agri, other key sectors: Himachal CM

A credit potential scheme of Rs 34,490 crore has been prepared by Nabard for agriculture, MSMEs and other priority sectors in 2024-25, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Wednesday. The scheme's allocation is 8 per cent higher than the current fiscal, he added. Inaugurating the State Credit Seminar for the financial year 2024-25 organised by Nabard, he said the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development has a major role in making Himachal Pradesh self-reliant. "I urge banks to extend their active support in providing loans for proper implementation of schemes so that farmers, horticulturists and youth can avail maximum benefits of these schemes. "As per a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report, none of the districts of the state falls in the category of 'credit deficient' districts. Although the credit flow in these districts is normal, the loan-to-deposit ratio of the state is 36.39 per cent," the chief minister said in a statement issued here. He

LS polls: Cong makes key appointments in Himachal, Jharkhand, TN, and J&K

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) appointed President for two disitricts in Himachal Pradesh and State Chairman, State Co-Chairman and State Co-Coordinator for Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir on Tuesday ahead of Lok Sabha polls.In an official statement released by the party on January 30, Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal said, "Congress President has approved the proposal of the appointment of Suman Bharti as the President of the Hamirpur District Congress Committee (DCC) and Ses Ram Azad as President of Kullu DCC with immediate effect."In another press release, K C Venugopal stated that the AICC has approved the proposal of the appointment of Chairmen, Coordinators and Co-Coordinators of Social Media Department of Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, and Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committees with immediate effect.The Jharkhand list includes Gajendra Kumar Singh as State Chairman, Nalin Mishra, Sanjay Kumar and Prashant Pandey as State Co-Coordinator and ...