HIMACHAL PRADESH

Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday directed that all the ongoing tourism projects should be completed in stipulated time period and special focus must be laid on those projects which are nearing completion.

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The Chief Minister was presiding over a meeting of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Board here,

He directed the officers for expediting the work on all the major ropeways viz Dharamshala-Mcleodgang, Palchan-Rohtang, Aadi Himani-Chamunda, Sri Anandpur Sahib-Shri Nainadevi etc.

He also directed the officers to effectively pursue FCA cases so that work on various tourism projects could be taken up soon.

While reviewing various projects, Thakur said that work must also be expedited on north and south portal alongside Atal Tunnel Rohtang, as the tunnel has emerged as the major tourist attraction.

Apart from this, Convention Centre at Kyarighat is coming up at a cost of Rs 29.90 crore and would be completed by September this year. Art and Craft village is being developed on 44 bigha land near Kandaghat village for which FCA approval is underway. This would prove an attractive destination for the tourists as both these projects are on the major national highway between Kalka-Shimla.

Himachal CM inaugurates Dharamshala Skyway to connect with Mcleodganj

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Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur inaugurated Dharamshala Skyway, a ropeway from Dharamshala to Mcleodganj in Kangra district. This 1.8 kms long ropeway has been constructed by spending an amount of Rs. 207 crore and has connected Dharamshala town with Mcleodganj.

While talking to the mediapersons on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that construction of this ropeway was started in 2018 and has been developed under DFBOT mode as a public private PARTNERSHIP project by Dharamshala Ropeway Limited and Himachal Pradesh Tourism and Civil Aviation Department.

Thakur said that this ropeway would go a long way in solving the traffic problem of Mcleodganj and also prove as an added tourist attraction. This ropeway would carry 1000 persons in one hour in one direction and total time taken by the trolley to reach Mcleodganj from Dharamshala would be five minutes and it has 10 towers and two stations. Mono Cable Detachable Gondolas Technology has been used in this ambitious project, he added.

HPs 200cr cherry economy faced with parasitic disease

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The spread of a parasitic disease in cherry trees has left horticulturists worried inHimachal Pradesh, raising concerns of a threat to the states Rs 200-crore, cherry-growing economy.

The infestation of phytoplasma parasites was first observed in cherry trees in June and July this year, but farmers were unfamiliar with it and did not worrt at the time. A team of scientists then in September confirmed the presence of phytoplasma parasites, which cause a systemic disease in cherry trees.

Mashobra regional horticultural research and training station senior scientist (plant pathology) Usha Sharma said in September, a team of scientists visited Baghi. She added samples were collected from the infected orchard and tests confirmed phytoplasma bacteria. She said earlier, phytoplasma was reported in peach trees inRajgarharea of Sirmaur district.

Every house of Himachal Pradesh to get tap water supply: Minister

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Every household in the state would get clean tap water under Har Ghar Nal Ka Jal scheme within one-and-a-half year, said Jal Shakti Minister Mahender Singh. During his visit to lay the foundation stones of various schemes worth Rs 12.28 crore in Nirmand region of the district today, he said the government, under the Leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, would accomplish the goal under the Jal Jeevan Mission.

The minister said Rs 1,000 crore from the Asian and Rs 800 crore from the BRICS Development Bank, had been approved for drinking water and Irrigation schemes. He said there were sufficient funds for providing clean drinking water to the people of the state.

The minister said the state secured the first position under the Jal Jeevan Mission for the second consecutive year. He said Rs 1,405 crore had been sanctioned this year under the scheme. He praised Anni MLA Kishori Lal Sagar and urged him to work on the sewerage system in Brow on priority.

217 sites identified for senior citizens parks in Himachal

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The is constructing parks and gardens with facilities for senior citizens in each development block under MGNREGA through the Rural Development Department.

Under the Panchavati scheme, the parks are being developed on at least one bigha of land. These parks are being constructed under the joint efforts of MGNREGA, the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) and the 14th Finance Commission. Each park is being constructed with an estimated cost of Rs 8. 75 lakh, but the construction cost can be increased depending on the geographical location of the area.

Apart from this, jogging treks, special places for Yoga, meditation classes, toilet facilities and solar lights are also being provided in each park. The Services of the technical wing of the Rural Development Department are being taken for construction in these parks in the rural areas. These parks are being maintained through gram panchayats.

Will be tough for new Himachal Govt to mobilise funds

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The new government will find it difficult to raise Rs 16,000 crore for paying arrear dues to its employees. The state is under a debt burden of over Rs 70,000 crore.

The counting of votes for the Assembly will be held on December 8. The focus of the new government will be on raising funds to pay salaries to employees and maintain the pace of development works.

Himachal is keen that the state is compensated for the GST compensation in view of the shortfall in the GST collection. This has resulted in an annual loss of Rs 4,000 crore to the State Government, which is a huge amount considering that Himachal has a few revenue generation sectors.

The grant of old pension scheme (OPS) to 1.16 lakh employees, at present covered under the new pension scheme (NPS), will entail an annual expenditure of almost Rs 710 crore, besides a one-time amount of almost Rs 2,000 crore.

Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur performed inaugurations and foundation stones of 31 developmental projects of about Rs. 77 crore at Reckong Peo in Kinnaur district today during his one day tour to the tribal district.

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Addressing the people on the occasion of inauguration ceremony of Five Day long Tribal Dance and Craft Mela, the Chief Minister said that the was also celebrating this year as Golden Jubilee Year of the Statehood. He said that the Union Government has provided a financial assistance of Rs. 30 lakh to organize this mega event. He said that the exhibition put up on the occasion was an apt platform for showcasing the tribal handicrafts and handlooms. He said that Kinnaur district was universally known for its colourful culture and traditions.

Thakur said that it was the need of the hour to conserve and preserve the rich culture and traditions of the State, adding that the district has also made great progress in various spheres of development such as Horticulture, Education, Health etc. He said that Himachal Pradesh has achieved a target of cent per cent first dose vaccination against Covid-19 and Kinnaur district has pioneered by becoming the first district of the country to achieve the target of cent percent vaccination of second dose.

Now, polling facility for essential services staff in Himachal Pradesh

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For the first time, the Absentee Voters in Essential Services (AVES) can cast vote through postal ballot by submitting Form 12-D to the Returning Officer (RO), said Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Maneesh Garg here today.

He said this category of essential services officials includes doctors, paramedical staff, ambulance service of the Health Department, driver and Conductors of the HRTC, excluding local route bus services, fire services, the staff on milk supply service of the HP State Milk Federation and Milk , local mediapersons authorised by the ECI, pump operator and turner in the Jal Shakti Department and electrician and lineman in the HPSEB, who are enrolled in electoral rolls, can cast vote through postal ballot.

CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University extends tea cultivation to non-traditional regions

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https://exam.pscnotes.com/Climate-change”>Climate Change in the hills has prompted CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture University to extend tea cultivation, research and tea development activities to non-traditional areas of the state where tea was not grown earlier.

For the first time, fresh tea plantations have been done at the research stations and Krishi Vigyan Kendras of the university at Malan, Kangra, Bara, Berthin, Sundernagar, Bajaura and Dhaulakuan in various districts of the state with the objective of creating live windows and demonstration-cum-exhibition plots. This initiative of the university will create awareness and interest for tea cultivation among farmers.

CAG pulls up Himachal Pradesh horticulture department for falling produce

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Bringing the functioning of thehorticulture departmentunder scanner, the (CAG), in its report for the year ended March 2019, said that the State Government had not given due importance to Horticulture.
The report, which was tabled in the state assembly on August 13, said that the horticulture department was working without a state horticulture policy and long-term master plan detailing strategies and clear milestones for development of horticulture.