Page 23 - Himachal Pradesh

India's apple imports may rise after crop damage in Kashmir, Himachal

Country is the world's fifth largest producer of the fruit but rains and floods have hurt domestic yield this year

Himachal Pradesh tops unemployment chart in July-Sept: Labour Survey

Himachal Pradesh has witnessed the highest overall unemployment rate of 33.9 per cent, followed by Rajasthan at 30.2 per cent, among the age group of 15 to 29 years in cities during July-September 2023, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). The PLFS data of the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) also revealed that unemployment among the 15-29 age group in urban areas was high among females at 49.2 per cent in the July-September quarter of this fiscal year as compared to 25.3 per cent among males in Himachal Pradesh. in the case of Rajasthan, the joblessness in females in cities was high at 39.4 per cent in the quarter as against 27.2 per cent in males. Jammu & Kashmir also reported a high rate of joblessness at 29.8 per cent in the age group in cities. In the case of Jammu & Kashmir, unemployment was high among females at 51.8 per cent in the quarter compared to 19.8 per cent among males in the period in cities. The data showed that the overall unemployment ..

Himachal CM distributes Rs 11.31 cr to disaster-affected families in Solan

The compensation included rupees three lakh each as the first installment to 377 families whose houses were completely damaged due to the monsoon-led disaster

India saw extreme weather events almost every day in 1st 9 months in 2023

India experienced extreme weather events almost every day in the first nine months of this year which led to nearly 3,000 deaths, according to a report released on Wednesday. Published by independent think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the report said the climate-vulnerable country had extreme weather on 86 per cent of days from January to September. The CSE said 2,923 people died, almost two million hectares of crops were ruined, 80,000 homes were destroyed and more than 92,000 animals were killed. But these numbers might be even higher because not all the data is collected, it said. "'India 2023: An assessment of extreme weather events' attempts to build an evidence base on the frequency and expanding geography of extreme weather events in the country. As this assessment clearly shows, what the country has witnessed so far in 2023 is the new 'abnormal' in a warming world," said the CSE director general Sunita Narain. Research indicates that extreme weather events

Goal set to make Himachal a green energy state by March 2026: CM Sukhu

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said his government has set a goal to make Himachal Pradesh a green energy state by March 2026. Speaking to the media, the chief minister also said the expansion of his cabinet will take place at an appropriate time after consultation with the Congress central leadership. He said that with the aim to reduce carbon emissions, his government set a goal to make Himachal Pradesh a green energy state by March 31, 2026. He said the initial phase of the Rs 680-crore Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgar Start-up Yojana has been launched, under which a 50-per cent subsidy is provided for e-taxi purchases. He said the Transport Department has received around 70 online applications so far, highlighting the positive reception of the subsidy-based start-up initiative. "In the second phase, a scheme will be introduced for the agricultural sector," he said. The chief minister paid obeisance at Gurudwara Sahib Shri Guru Singh Sabha in Shimla on Monday on the ...

Himachal govt helped disaster-affected people by changing rules: CM Sukhu

According to the officials, in rain-related incidents in this year's monsoon so far, 400 people have lost their lives and over 13,000 houses have been damaged

Snowfall likely in higher reachers of Himachal in next 48 hours: IMD

Another western disturbance is likely to arrive on December 3-4, but the immediate concern would be the changes in the weather from November 26-27

Paddy procurement in Himachal touches 20,993 MT, surpassing 2022's purchase

Paddy procurement in Himachal Pradesh has surpassed last year's purchase to touch 20,993 metric tonnes this year, officials said on Saturday. In comparison to the purchase of 14,000 metric tonnes of paddy last year (2022), about 20,993 metric tonnes of paddy has been purchased from 3,663 farmers in 14 markets established across the state in the current year (2023), the officials said. This year a target to procure 22 thousand metric tonnes of paddy has been set and so far farmers of the state have sold 20,993 metric tonnes of paddy worth Rs 45 crore to the government, informed Joint Director State Civil and Food Supply Corporation Ravindra Thakur. He informed that against the target of purchasing 6,250 metric tonnes (62,500 quintals) in Sirmaur district, the State Civil Supplies Corporation has already purchased about 9,000 metric tonnes. In 2022, crops across the state were ruined due to the southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV) and several farmers had to destroy their

3rd party to carry out inspection of 12 under-construction Himachal tunnels

Inspection and safety audit of 12 under-construction tunnels in Himachal Pradesh will be carried out by a third party and vertical drilling machines will be stationed near tunnels to be used in case an Uttarakhand-like situation arises, according to an NHAI official. National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) Regional Officer Abdul Basit on Friday said the safety audit will analyse all factors from rock stability to material used in the constructions and remedial steps would be taken as per suggestions in view of the Uttarkashi Silkyara tunnel incident in which 41 workers have been trapped for the past 13 days. A total of 68 tunnels measuring 85 km, which would reduce the road distance by about 130 km, would come up in the state, he told PTI on Friday. Of these, 12 have been constructed, 12 are under construction, work on 14 would start in six months while detailed project reports are being prepared for 30, he said. "We have given suggestion to put vertical pipes at tunnel ...

Grants-in-aid to be released on monthly basis to local bodies in Himachal

The grants-in-aid to Himachal Pradesh's 61 urban local bodies would henceforth be released on a monthly basis and not in one lump sum instalment or in advance, according to the Urban Development Department. The grants-in-aid of about Rs 153.64 crore was released and credited to the accounts of all urban bodies on July 25 under the Sixth State Finance Commission award. But the Urban Development department wrote to commissioners of the municipal corporations, the executive officers of the municipal councils and the secretaries of the nagar panchayats after the natural disaster in July, directing them to return 50 per cent of the grant amounting to around Rs 76.82 crore. The state finance department, vide its notification of August 8 issued economy instructions and financial guidelines for incurring expenditure and observed that departments are releasing the grants-in-aid and subsidies for state schemes either in one go or in some cases quarterly in advance. After due consideration, t

BJP's Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra to start in Himachal from Nov 25

As many as 90 raths (chariots) will visit every village in Himachal Pradesh to create awareness among the general public about the flagship schemes of the central government during the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra'. The yatra will start in Himachal from November 25, state BJP President Rajiv Bindal said on Monday. The yatra was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Jharkhand to inform the general public about the flagship schemes of the Union government, he said highlighting that the aim is to benefit maximum people from the welfare and other schemes, he said in a statement issued here. He said that these raths will have various books and brochures through which people can know about the central government's schemes. Several video reels will also be available in these raths. "We urge all the public representatives, MLAs, Zila Parishad members, panchayat pradhans, councilors, mayor, deputy mayor and the entire society to spread this message to as many people as possible," s

Himachal govt plans to increase grip on Shimla, Kullu construction projects

The Himachal Pradesh State Cabinet in its meeting on Saturday gave its nod to bring more areas of Shimla, Chopal and Kullu under the planning area to check the haphazard construction in these areas.

68 out of 131 stone crushers in Beas Basin did not have permission: Report

Multi Sector Committee in its interim report has highlighted that 68 out of 131 stone crushers in Beas river in Himachal Pradesh were running without permission, officials said on Friday. Along with the climatic change, the unscientific and illegal mining along the river beds are responsible for the natural calamity in the state causing huge damage to life and property, the committee, in its interim report submitted to the government said. The committee was constituted after the disaster wreaked havoc in Himachal during monsoons triggering flash floods and massive landslides claiming 509 lives in rain-related incidents and road accidents, a spokesperson of the state government said. As per the report, out of 131 stone crushers set up in the Beas river basin, 68 did not have the necessary permission while seven were affected by the floods, few anomalies were found in six and only 50 operators were found to have the valid permits, the spokesperson said. Due to excessive muck dumping

Eldeco Group to invest Rs 300 cr on housing project in Himachal Pradesh

Realty firm Eldeco Group will invest about Rs 300 crore to develop a ultra-luxury housing project, comprising 80 villas, in Himachal Pradesh to tap rising consumer demand of high-end residential properties in hills. Delhi-based Eldeco Group has bought 30-acre land in Sirmaur district to develop ultra-luxury holiday homes and also established a separate subsidiary 'Terra Garden' to develop such projects across tourist locations. "We acquired 30 acre land parcel on hill few years ago. We will be developing 80 villas in this project," said Amar Kapoor, CEO of Terra Grande by Eldeco Group. The company has launched 35 villas for sale in the first phase. The starting price is Rs 5.5 crore, he added. Kapoor said the company will be investing about Rs 300 crore to develop this project. As per the declaration in registration with RERA, Eldeco Group's arm Terra Grande plans to complete this project in seven years. Kapoor said the company is looking for land parcels to develop such vacation

Bursting of crackers restricted to just 2 hours from 8-10 pm in Himachal

Bursting of firecrackers on Diwali has been restricted to just two hours in Himachal Pradesh to prevent noise and air pollution in the hills and only "green crackers" will be permitted, officials said on Sunday. Although a large number of people in the state have voluntarily shunned the use of chemical fireworks, resulting in the sale of these crackers going down, dealers who procured huge stocks of conventional crackers are unhappy over the ban being imposed at the last hour. According to an order issued by the Shimla deputy commissioner, the use of only "green crackers" would be allowed during the festival and the Department of Environment, Science Technology and Climate Change has granted permission for the use of green firecrackers strictly between 8 pm and 10 pm. Blaming the state government's decision banning conventional firecrackers, a shopkeeper said, "The government should have issued the instructions banning the use of crackers at least a month in advance and completely .

PM Modi in Himachal's Lepcha to celebrate Diwali with security forces

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reached Lepcha in Himachal Pradesh to celebrate Diwali with security forces. Since coming to power in 2014, Modi has been visiting military facilities to celebrate Diwali. In a post on 'X', the prime minister said, "Reached Lepcha in Himachal Pradesh to celebrate Diwali with our brave security forces." Earlier, he greeted people on Diwali and wished them joy, prosperity and health. "Wishing everyone a Happy Diwali! May this special festival bring joy, prosperity and wonderful health to everyone's lives," Modi said.

Won't campaign in poll-bound states: Sukhu returns to Shimla post treatment

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who was undergoing treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi, arrived in Shimla on Saturday after 15 days. Talking to the media persons here, Sukhu said he would not campaign in the poll-bound states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana as doctors have advised him to rest for two months. He will, however, start working and meeting with people, the chief minister added. On poll prospects of the Congress, Sukhu said the party was strong in the states going to polls and would emerge victorious. Voting for the Mizoram assembly polls is already over. "The doctors have advised me to take rest, eat light meals at regular intervals, divide work and not to work in continuity without a break," he said. Reiterating that Himachal Pradesh will be made self-reliant in four years and the most prosperous state in the country in the next 10 years, Sukhu said, "We have to get back to work." He added

Rs 300 cr will be spent on tourism, water sports infra in Nadaun: HP Dy CM

Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on Sunday said a sum of Rs 300 crore will be spent on the promotion of tourism and water activities in Nadaun-Kaswa and its adjoining areas in the district. Agnihotri was in Hamirpur to attend the closing of the three-day Asian Rafting Championship and distribute prizes to winners. He said the championship will prove to be a milestone in promoting adventure sports and tourism and create a distinct identity for Nadaun on the tourism map, according to a statement. The deputy chief minister said Rs 42 crore would be spent for the construction of hotels, Rs 65 crore for a wellness centre, Rs 3.50 crore for a heliport and Rs 13 crore for wayside amenities. Schemes worth about Rs 300 crore have also been sanctioned through the Jal Shakti department for the area, he added. An e-bus depot is also being opened in Nadaun and this area will receive the first consignment of e-buses coming to the state, the deputy chief minister ...

10 arrests made so far: Himachal Pradesh Dy CM Agnihotri on Crypto fraud

Himachal Deputy CM further appealed to the people not to invest in such frauds when even SEBI did not give clearance

Over 300 crypto fraud complaints received, will take action: Himachal Dy-CM

More than 300 complaints have been received from across Himachal Pradesh in connection with a multi-crore cryptocurrency ponzi scam, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said, referring to the fraud that began in the state in 2018. He had presided over a meeting on Friday to review the action being taken against the perpetrators, who cheated people by promising them high profits on investments within a short span of time, an official statement said. People should guard themselves from falling prey to such ponzi schemes and cryptocurrency frauds, Agnihotri said. "I am observing that complaints have been pouring in from various districts of the state wherein people have been cheated by the kingpin of the cryptocurrency fraud," he said, according to the statement issued on Saturday. He added that more than 300 complaints have been received by the police till date. Ten culprits from Mandi and two from Una have been arrested so far in connection with the case, Agnihotri said. Subhash