Page 39 - Himachal Pradesh

HP CM urges Centre to return funds deposited for National Pension System

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday sought the Centre's directions to the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) to return Rs 9,242 crore deposited under the National Pension Scheme (NPS) by the state government. Sukhu, who attended the 8th Governing Council meeting of the NITI Aayog in New Delhi, said there should be no limit on receiving external aid for the next three years and the Union government must approve proposals submitted to the Department of Economic Affairs. He also sought 100 per cent central funding for the strategic Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Leh Railway Line, saying the land acquisition cost that was borne by the state government should be considered as its contribution to the project. He also requested the Centre to include ropeway projects under the 'Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojna', besides demanding special financial assistance for completing the construction of medical colleges in the state. Sukhu said his governme

CM Sukhu announces zoological park worth Rs 300 cr in Kangra district

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday announced a slew of development projects, including the setting up of a zoological park in Bankhandi area in Kangra district. Addressing a gathering at Haripur in Dehra assembly constituency, Sukhu said the park is estimated to cost Rs 300 crore, and will provide employment opportunities to 5,000 local youths. The project will be completed in three years, he said. The Chief Minister also said Rs 70 crore have been earmarked to promote adventure tourism at Pong Lake. The introduction of hot air balloon activities and the construction of a floating hotel have also been planned, he said. In a bid to create employment opportunities, the state government will also provide financial assistance to local youth to help them buy 'shikaras', Sukhu said. The Chief Minister also announced the operation of five new bus routes in the area and the construction of an indoor stadium with a swimming pool in the Dehra assembly ...

Water released from HP's Pandoh Dam after increase in level due to rain

Water is being released from Himachal Pradesh's Pandoh Dam after an increase in its level due to unseasonal rain, officials said on Friday, warning people not to go near the Beas river in Mandi, Hamirpur and Kangra districts. The warning was issued by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and it has informed the administrations of the three districts about it, a spokesperson said here. The state received 92.1 mm rains in the month of May this year, an excess of 70 per cent, against the normal rainfall of 54.3 mm from May 1 to May 26, according to officials. Melting of snow has also contributed to increase in the water level in the dam. A study by the State Centre on Climate Change on variation in snow cover showed that in April 2023, the area under snow cover in the Beas basin was 39 per cent as compared to 51 percent in 2022. The study also said seasonal snow cover of Chenab, Beas, Ravi and Satluj River basins in Himachal Pradesh has declined by 10 per cent in 2022-23 compared

Himachal Pradesh govt abolishes non-practicing allowance for doctors

The Himachal Pradesh government on Thursday announced that doctors recruited henceforth across departments, including Health and Family Welfare and Animal Husbandry, will not be entitled to Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA). The announcement drew a sharp reaction from medical and veterinary associations, who termed it "anti-people" and demanded that the notification be withdrawn. "The Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) will not be admissible to all doctors recruited henceforth in Health and Family Welfare, Medical Education, Dental, Ayush and Animal Husbandry departments of the state government," the official notification stated. The Himachal Medical Association described the decision as "anti-people". The duties of doctors are different from duties discharged by employees of other departments as they serve the patients by risking their own lives and had demonstrated their loyalty to the patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, the association said in a statement issued here. The Himachal

Cong will implement Old Pension Scheme for Telangana govt employees: HP CM

The Congress would implement the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for government employees in Telangana if it is elected to power in the state, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Thursday. Addressing a party rally at Jadcherla near here, Sukhu said his government, taking a humanitarian approach, has brought 1.36 lakh government employees in the state under the OPS. He said Telangana Congress president A Revanth Reddy, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and AICC in-charge of party affairs in the state Manikrao Thakre told him that the OPS would be implemented in Telangana once it comes to power. "By speaking to them now, I came to know that the way we implemented OPS in Himachal Pradesh, we will, in time to come, Telangana government will implement OPS for State government employees and officers," he said. Observing that lakhs of people in the country are getting work under the MNREGA, he alleged that the BJP government always tried t

Himachal CM announces Rs 250 cr to upgrade Milk Processing Plant in Kangra

"The success of the "Him-Ganga" scheme will require the establishment of new milk processing plants and the upgrading of existing ones," he said

Himachal CM announces Rs 250 cr for Dhagwar milk processing plant

Himachal Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday said that Rs 250 crore will be invested to upgrade the facilities of the Dhagwar milk processing plant in Kangra district. The state government aims to collect milk from cattle herders and sell milk products to boost the rural economy, he said during a visit to the milk plant. In line with this objective, the government is launching the 'Him-Ganga' scheme, which focuses on developing a milk-based economy in the state. Under the 'Him-Ganga' scheme, cattle rearers will receive fair prices for their milk and milk products, based on actual costs. Efforts will be made to enhance the quality and efficiency of milk procurement, processing, and marketing systems. The government aims to safeguard milk producers, especially vulnerable sections of society, from regional and seasonal price fluctuations. A provision of Rs. 500 crore has been allocated for the 'Him-Ganga' scheme, starting with a pilot project connecting farmers before .

Himachal Transport Department targets Rs 850 cr revenue in FY24: Dy CM

Himachal Pradesh Transport Department has set a target to generate revenue of Rs 850 crore in the current financial year, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said on Wednesday. He said it is Rs 175 crore more than the revenue generated by the department in the last year (Rs 675 crore). Plugging leakages, cracking whip on outside vehicles entering the state without paying taxes and making registration of all vehicles mandatory would help in achieving the set target, the deputy chief minister said while addressing the media here after a review meeting of the transport department. He underlined the urgency of raising revenue and said that tax defaulters have been given one-time relaxation to pay their dues with 10 per cent interest, waiving the rest of interest and penalty by June 30, 2023, which would accrue an income of Rs 150 crore. Moreover, registration of all vehicles, including the JCB and heavy vehicles, has been made mandatory in the state. Luxury buses coming from outsid

Himachal Governor reviews progress on development of NHAI projects

Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Prasad Shukla has reviewed the progress on the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) projects in the state, a statement said on Wednesday. The governor took detailed information about the NHAI projects, especially Kiratpur -Nerchowk, Pandoh - Takoli and Takoli - Kullu projects, which will be completed soon. The work of five tunnels and 22 major bridges between Kiratpur to Nerchowk is completed and a safety audit is going on, NHAI Shimla Regional Officer Abdul Basit said in the statement. He said that opening of five tunnels from Kiratpur to Nerchowk would reduce the distance in hilly terrain by 37 Km and time by 3 hours. Local citizens and tourists going to Kullu, Manali, Keylong and Rohtang will get its benefit and travel will be easier. The governor also took a detailed account of other highways being constructed by NHAI in the state and instructed the Regional Officer that while constructing the highway, attention should be paid to saving natu

Himachal plans to encourage EV, to become Green Energy State by March 2026

Himachal Pradesh government on Tuesday discussed plans to encourage the use of electric vehicles and has set a target to transform the state into a 'Green Energy State' by March 2026. During a review meeting in Dharamshala, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stressed the importance of identifying suitable locations for charging stations along the proposed three Green Corridors Highways in Himachal Pradesh, according to a release. These highways include Parwanoo-Nalagarh-Una-Hamirpur-Sansarpur Terrace and Bilaspur-Hamirpur-Kangra, and Mandi-Dharamshala-Kangra. He also emphasised the need to develop charging infrastructure within cities to encourage the use of electric vehicles (EVs), according to a statement. The state government has set a target to transform Himachal Pradesh into a Green Energy State by March 31, 2026, the statement said. To achieve this goal, the Himachal Pradesh cabinet approved the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Scheme 2023. The scheme will provide a uniform 5

MeT issues 'orange' alert in 10 Himachal districts for May 23, 24

The local MeT office on Monday issued an 'orange' alert of thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorm and gusty winds at isolated places in ten districts in Himachal Pradesh on May 23 and 24. It also issued a yellow' alert for thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places on May 25 and 26. An active western disturbance is approaching the western Himalayan region from May 23 onwards, leading to widespread precipitation in the state for the next three to four days, the MeT office here said. Farmers have been advised to use anti-hail nets over the crops as a hailstorm, with the possibility of heavy rainfall, is predicted in districts of Chamba, Kangra, Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Solan and Sirmaur. They are also advised to reschedule the spraying of insecticides, it said. Light to moderate rainfall and snowfall is also likely to occur in higher reaches of Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Kangra, and Kullu districts. The average minimum temperature is expected to hover around 4-5 degrees below norma

Himachal Pradesh to formulate green hydrogen policy: CM Sukhvinder

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday said a 'Green Hydrogen' policy would be formulated to promote the use of green hydrogen and establish the state as a leading hub for its production. The state's abundant renewable energy resources, including ample sunlight, water and wind, make it an ideal location for generating green hydrogen. The primary objective of the policy is to attract investments in large-scale renewable energy projects, ensuring a consistent and sustainable supply of green electricity for electrolysis, he said in a statement issued here. The chief minister said the government is actively encouraging young entrepreneurs to invest in the state and the new green energy policy will include various provisions to facilitate their participation. "By leveraging its natural advantages, the state aims to create a favourable environment for the production of green hydrogen. This will not only contribute to the global fight against climate change but

Supreme Court allows axing of khair trees on govt forest land in HP

In a major reprieve, the Supreme Court has permitted axing of khair trees on government forest land in 10 forest divisions of Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu said

Luxury buses in Himachal to pay annual tax of Rs 9 lakh: Dy CM Agnihotri

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the state is planning to purchase 75 e-buses, taking the total fleet to 170, according to a statement issued here on Thursday. Tenders for the purchase of these buses, which will ply on 75 identified routes, have been issued and the letter of award (LOA) is expected by June, it said. The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has also identified routes to replace 225 diesel buses with e-buses, Sukhu said while presiding over a meeting of the transport department Wednesday evening. The HRTC is transitioning from diesel to electric buses in a phased manner and the current fleet already includes 95 electric buses, he said. The government is working to develop the required infrastructure for e-buses, including charging stations, the statement added. The chief minister said six green corridors were being built in the state, adding that Himachal Pradesh aims to become a role model in the country in the e-vehicle sector. Re

Govt to introduce new tech courses in educational institutions: Himachal CM

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday presided over a function of the Hamirpur Students Union at Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla

Snow clearance underway in Lahaul-Spiti, IMD issues yellow warning

IMD has issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms along with lightning at isolated places across Himachal Pradesh

NCPCR member lauds HP govt's Sukhashraya scheme protecting orphan's rights

NCPCR member Preeti Bharadwaj on Wednesday lauded a Himachal Pradesh government scheme protecting the rights of orphans and destitute children, saying it can be become a "role model" for other states. Under the state government's 'Sukhashraya' scheme, orphans and destitute children are declared as "Children of the State". Besides providing shelter and care, the scheme also secures their education and provides skill training. "This scheme is a good initiative for protecting rights of orphans and destitute children and can become a role model for other states also if implemented earnestly," the member of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) said at a meeting here on Wednesday. She discussed matters related to improvement of Bal Sudhar Grahs, Balika Ashrams and Child Care Centres with officials of the women and child development, labour and employment, education and health departments, State Commission Protection of Child Rights, Juvenile Justice Board and ...

Himachal Pradesh eyeing to earn Rs 1,000 crore annually from timber

With the state facing a loss of Rs 1,000 crore annually, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu said marking of dried trees on the forest land would be done on a daily basis

Dharamsala to host IPL after decade today with 'rainproof' outfield

By creating one of the most advanced cricket grounds, the organisers managed to improve world-class infrastructure in the stadium that is known for the stunning beauty amidst the Dhauladhar mountains

Himachal govt taking prudent measures to boost rural economy: CM Sukhu

Chief Minister Sukhu said that the state government had started to fulfil the election promises made by the Congress party during state elections