Page 40 - Himachal Pradesh

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

Himachal Pradesh to host rural olympics to encourage sportspersons

In a bid to encourage sportspersons, the Himachal Pradesh government will host rural olympics which could see participation of up to 40,000 youths, including 20,000 women, state Youth Services and Sports Minister Vikramaditya Singh said here on Tuesday. The games, likely to start in September, will have a special focus on the state's traditional games, he added. "A policy would be framed for regulating the adventure sports such as river rafting and paragliding, due to which fatalities have been reported in the past. These mishaps bring a bad name to the state and the sports promoters," Singh said at a press conference after a meeting with representatives from various sports bodies of the state. He said that it would introduce a platform for the redressal of sports-related grievances and the preparation of sports calendar. This policy, which would be finalised in accordance with the National Sports Policy and Lodha Committee guidelines in the BCCI case, will also ensure transparency

HP revises e-auction process for fancy vehicle registration numbers

Three months after a person made an online bid of Rs 1.12 crore for fancy registration number 'HP 99-9999' for a scooter and later backed out, the transport department on Tuesday revised the e-auction process making advance payment of 30 per cent registration fee mandatory to end such practices. According to the new guidelines, the applicants vying for fancy numbers would have to deposit 30 per cent of the minimum special registration fee ranging between Rs 10,000 and Rs 1 lakh depending upon the special registration mark in advance, officials said. The 30 per cent advance money is non-refundable and would be adjusted against the total amount of the bid. Prior to this, an applicant was required to deposit Rs 2,000 as registration fee. The revised system has been started in Baijnath and Shimla Registration Transport Authorities (RTA) in the first phase and will be replicated by other RTAs throughout the state after successful testing, Director of Transport Anupam Kashyap said. On ..

Himachal Pradesh to cancel allotment of hydropower projects: CM Sukhvinder

Allotments of hydropower projects that have not started construction work despite taking one-time amnesty should be cancelled immediately and a fresh advertisement should be published, said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday. Taking a serious note of central Public Sector undertakings (PSUs) for not signing pre-implementation and implementation agreements to set up hydropower projects, he directed the energy department to issue notices to such PSUs, a statement issued here said. Presiding over a meeting of the Energy Department here late on Monday evening, he said, "Efforts would be made to increase the State's share in those projects which have recovered its cost, for which correspondence would be initiated with the Central Government and other PSUs." He said that for all upcoming hydel power projects, the land would be given for a 40 years lease as per the policy of government. Apart from this, he also directed to simplify the process of providing NOCs for the ...

Himachal to invest 50% equity in ethanol project at Una: CM Sukhu

The Himachal Pradesh government will invest 50 per cent equity in an ethanol plant to be established at Jeetpur Behri in Una district by HPCL at a cost of Rs 500 crore, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said. Full cooperation would be extended to Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd(HPCL) for setting up the 30-acre plant, a statement quoted him as saying on Tuesday. He directed the district administration to start land acquisition for the approach road from Bhanjal within 10 days. The chief minister also directed the district administration to provide an additional 20-acre land for the plant on the request of the company. Sukhu said the plant would provide employment and self employment opportunities to the local people and farmers from Kangra, Hamirpur and Bilaspur. Neighbouring districts of Punjab would also benefit from the grain-based ethanol plant. The company has assured that it will take the chief minister's proposal to the board of directors.

Himachal's inmates to be covered under health insurance scheme: CM Sukhu

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday announced that the inmates lodged in jails and juvenile homes in the state will be provided Rs 5 lakh medical cover under the 'HIMCARE' scheme. He also launched a campaign for screening of inmates for sexually transmitted infections (STI), HIV, tuberculosis and Hepatitis. As many as 3,218 prisoners lodged in 14 jails in Himachal Pradesh and 1,278 inmates of juvenile homes, Nari Niketan and drug rehabilitation centres across the state would be screened and treated for these diseases under the Integrated STI, HIV, TB and Hepatitis (ISHTH) campaign by June 14, he said. Sukhu also provided Himcare cards to the prisoners at Model Central Jail Kanda near Shimla. The registration of inmates under this scheme has been initiated and a 100-per cent target would be achieved shortly, the chief minister said. Himcare scheme provides free healthcare services up to Rs 5 lakhs annually to families which are not covered under the ...