HIMACHAL PRADESH

Healthy punch, Himachal may dish out apples in schools & hospitals

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The Himachal Government is considering the inclusion of apple in mid-day meals in schools and anganwadis and in meals served to patients in hospitals. Mahender Singh, Minister, said, We are expecting a higher yield this time. The availability of this nutritious fruit will benefit both students and patients. We are also thinking of making the fruit available in small packing of 2-6 kg for sale at hotels. This will not only help the growers, but also benefit the tourists as they will get good quality fruit at reasonable prices. We will talk to the hoteliers in this regard soon.

Apple growers feel it is a good step, if it goes beyond a mere announcement. Lokender Bisht, president, Progressive Growers Association, said, Its a welcome move, but only if implemented. Apart from schools and hospitals, the government can also tie up with the Railways and hotels outside the state as well. Also, the plan will only look realistic when the modalities for Procurement and Distribution of the fruit are revealed.

Himachal farmers get financial aid to cultivate medicinal plants

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The is pushing hard for cultivation and conservation of medicinal Plants. It has introduced several policies to encourage farmers to cultivate these plants and supplement their income. The State Medicinal Plants Board, functioning under the aegis of the Ayush Department, is also working to ensure easy availability of medicinal plants for manufacturing Ayurvedic medicines.

According to a government spokesperson, the state government was providing financial assistance to farmers in different agro-climatic zones for cultivating medicinal plants under the National Ayush Mission. Various farmer clusters have been prepared for this purpose. To avail the financial assistance, a farmer cluster must cover at least two hectares. A cluster can comprise three adjoining villages within 15-km radius.

The state is providing financial assistance to farmers in different agro-climatic zones for cultivating medicinal plants under the National Ayush Mission.

Various farmer clusters have been prepared. To avail the assistance, a cluster must cover at least 2 hectares. A cluster can comprise 3 adjoining villages within 15-km radius.

Sukhu urges Centre to hand over Shanan project to HP

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Himachal Pradesh chief ministerSukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday raised the issue of handing over the Shanan project to the state with Union power minister R K Singh in New Delhi.

During his meeting with the Union minister, Sukhu informed him that the 99-year lease period of the Shanan project would expire in March next year as per the lease agreement and asked for issuing necessary directions to thePunjabgovernment for taking mandatory steps for handing over the project to the hill state before the expiry of the lease period. Sukhu also apprised the Union minister about the facts regarding the share of the state in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and sought 12% water royalty for his state. He said due to the construction of various projects by the BBMB, many townships were forced to rehabilitate and even after 50 years, a number of oustees were yet to get compensation.

Himachals oxygen quota doubled to 30 MT

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The Central Government has enhanced the liquid Oxygen quota of Himachal from 15 metric tonnes (MT) to 30 MT following a request by the .

Inox Air Products, Barotiwala, will provide the additional supply to the state. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had requested the Union Government for more oxygen to the state in view of rising demand for medical oxygen following the spurt in Covid cases.

The state has six pressure swing adsorption Plants at Shimla, Kangra, Mandi, Tanda, Chamba and Mandi. Eight private producers are also providing medical oxygen to the state. These manufacturers are Inox Air, Barotiwala; Himalaya Gases, Baddi; Indo Gases, Baddi; Mahalaxmi Oxy Plant, Mandi; Himalaya Oxygen, Sirmaur; JK Gases, Gagret; Mandav Air Agency, Mandi; and Mandav Air Agency, IGMC, Shimla.

‘First Green State by 2025: Himachal Pradesh signs MoU; project to bring in investment of over Rs 4,000 crore

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To make Himachal Pradesh the First Green State by 2025 as well as a leading hydrogen-based economy, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed withHLC Green Energy LLCin Shimla.

Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhusaid that green hydrogen has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly; reducing fertilizer prices; and contributing to the nations economy through import substitution.

He said that Himachal Pradesh was already famous for green hydel energy and would now encourage new clean such as those based on ethanol, green hydrogen, green ammonia and solar energy projects.

The industries minister said that the company intends to produce 0.3 million metric tons (MMT) of green hydrogen and 1.5 million metric tons (MMT) of green ammonia per year.

The project the land requirement for which is around 20-25 acres is likely to be set up in Una and Kangra.

He said that the manufacturing facility has planned to bring in an of more than Rs 4,000 crore, besides generating direct and indirect EMPLOYMENT opportunities for about 2,500 persons.

Tourism beneficiaries demand better infra in Himachal Pradesh

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The beneficiaries of the tourism here alleged that various governments had failed to harness the potential of tourism, which is the backbone of the economy of the state.

They said that most of the tourist hotspots and activities had been created by the masses themselves and the only job the current government had done was to earn revenue from these and impose regulations. They further added that even basic amenities like toilets were not available in most of the tourist spots. The condition of the roads was pitiable and the rail connectivity was a far off dream, proposals for which were underway for the past many decades.

Himachals highest polling booth sees 100% voting

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The highest polling booth in Himachal Pradeshs Mandi parliamentary bypoll, which saw a low of minus 16 degrees, on Saturday recorded 100 per cent polling, election officials said here.

The polling booth in Tashigang village in Lahaul-Spiti district had 47 voters, including 18 Women. Donning traditional dresses, most of the electorate reached the booth to cast their votes.

Tashi Chojam, who was the first to cast her vote, said: We must exercise our franchise. I am happy to be part of the democratic process. Seventy-year-old Sakya Dolma said she exercised her right to vote every time. Today also I did it. The had set up the model polling booth with a selfie point with the Himalayas in the background.

A Himachal Pradesh farmer has created an innovative self-pollinating apple variety that does not require long chilling hours to flower and set fruit.

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Commercial cultivation of this apple variety has started in the low-lying areas of Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Jammu, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and , and the fruit set has expanded to 23 states and UTs so far.

The apple variety is called HRMN 99.

According to the farmer, growing apples in low chilling conditions is no longer impossible.

His claims were validated by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF), an autonomous body of the Government of India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST).

NIF assessed the variety’s distinctiveness and potential by facilitating molecular and diversity analysis studies as well as fruit quality testing.

NIF also provided financial and technical assistance for the establishment and expansion of the nursery, as well as assistance with the registration of the variety under the Plant Variety Protection and Farmers’ Rights Act of 2001.

This apple variety is larger in size than others, with very soft, sweet, and juicy pulp and striped red over yellow skin colour when mature.

State Govt. committed to redress grievances of outsourcing employees: HP Minister

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Himachal Jal Shakti and Revenue Minister Mahender Singh Thakur on Friday said that the cabinet sub-committee after obtaining suggestions from the departments will prepare its report before the upcoming budget session for giving final shape to redress the grievances of employees.

Thakur said that thousands of youth are rendering their Services on an outsource basis in various departments, boards and corporations in the state and their services are being outsourced through various agencies. The State Government had constituted the cabinet sub-committee to ensure best of the interests of outsourcing employees and to protect them from any kind of exploitation, he said.

Himachal govt mulls setting up investment and facilitation bureau

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Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed officials of the department to work on a proposal for setting up a dedicated Investment and facilitation bureau in the State.

Presiding over a review meeting with the department of Industries on Wednesday evening, he saidthis will help in providing all clearance and approvals in time bound manner, thereby enhancing the momentum of investment in the State. This proposal would play a pivotal role in making Himachal Pradesh as the most preferred investment destination for investors.

Sukhu said this bureau will provide one stop solution for the investment in various sectors such as Industries, Tourism, Food Processing, Ayurveda, IT/Information Technology Enabled Services (ITeS), Power, Health and Education Institutions. He directed to prepare a document with all the requisite policies and rules for the bureau. Directions were also given to expedite the process of appointing a transaction Advisor for selection of Strategic Investor for the Bulk Drug Park.