Himachal Pradesh Government

Various delegations call on Chief Minister
The delegations from the Kandaghat area of Solan district, B.Ed. students, representatives of the Livelihood Building under Municipal Corporation Shimla, and aspirants of MBBS and BDS courses met Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh here today.

The Chief Minister gave a patient hearing to their issues and assured them of appropriate action.

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Strengthening Rural Economy is a Key Focus of the State Government: Chief Minister
CM meets delegations from National Rural Livelihood Mission and others

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while chairing a meeting with a delegation of the National Rural Livelihood Mission and the Himachal Pradesh 'Pashu Evam Krishi Sakhi Sang'h here today said that the State Government was committed to strengthen the rural economy and special emphasis was being laid on promoting natural farming.

For the first time, the State Government has fixed Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for milk, wheat, maize, and turmeric produced through natural farming. He said that the MSP for maize has been increased from Rs.30 to Rs. 40 per kg, and for wheat from Rs.40 to Rs.60 per kg, benefitting lakhs of farmers.

He informed that the State will soon start purchasing raw turmeric at Rs. 90 per kg to promote its cultivation under the brand name ‘Himachali Haldi’. Over 1.58 lakh farmers engaged in natural farming have already been certified in the State so far.

The Chief Minister added that an e-commerce portal ‘Him-Ira’ has been launched to facilitate the sale of products made by women self-help groups. Products like Him-Ira are gaining popularity even outside the State.

He assured the delegation that their demands would be considered sympathetically and necessary action would be taken.

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State Government will declare support price for potato: CM
Support price of natural farming crops to be increased

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said the State Government was constantly striving to strengthen the rural economy and a potato processing plant would be set up in Una district at a cost of about Rs 20 crore. He said the support price would be soon declared for potato to strengthen the economy of the farmers.

The Chief Minister was chairing the state level Multi-Stakeholder Consultative conference organized by Himachal Pradesh Revitalizing Rainfed Agriculture Network, here today.

He said the state government was promoting green energy and natural farming in a big way. The minimum support price had been fixed for crops produced from natural farming and it would be further increased in the coming time. Highlighting the importance of natural farming, he said that many new schemes would be implemented in the coming year to boost the rural economy.

Sh. Sukhu said that after the north-eastern states of the country, the highest increase in cancer cases had been witnessed in Himachal Pradesh. The efforts were on to find out the root cause and change in food habits could also be a main reason for rise in cancer cases.

The Chief Minister said that 80 percent of the state's population depends on agriculture for livelihood and was the backbone of Himachal's economy which contributes about 14 percent to the state's GDP. He expressed also concern over the changing pattern of weather which was adversely effecting the agriculture sector. This challenges could be faced effectively by taking steps like climate tolerant agriculture, promotion of pulses, extensive animal husbandry, more use of traditional seeds, laying emphasis on water security and soil conservation etc., he added.

He said the traditional seeds and crops grown through natural farming were rich in nutrition and also require less water. We need to reuse such traditional crops and these had to be further improved through research to ensuring nutritious food and clean environment to the future generations.

The Chief Minister also released a book based on the experiences of natural farming on this occasion. He praised the farmers engaged in natural farming and also detailed the efforts being made by the state government in promoting this system of agriculture.

Padma Shri Nek Ram Sharma apprised the Chief Minister about the conference. He also discussed the importance of millets along-with conservation of water, forest and land.

MLA Harish Janartha, Padma Shri Hariman, agriculture expert Dr. Sabyasachi Das, agriculture experts, senior officials of the Agriculture department, stakeholders, representatives of agricultural university were present on this occasion.

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Need for promoting handicrafts, handloom products: Industries Minister

Presiding over the 194th meeting of Board of Directors of Himachal Pradesh State Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation Ltd. here today, Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan directed the officers to prepare a promotional video of the handicrafts and handloom products of the state. The videos, aimed at promoting and reviving the handicrafts and handloom products of the state, would be uploaded on social media and other networks.

Industries Minister appreciated the steps taken by the Corporation for the benefit of artisans and weavers of the State and directed that the schemes and programmes of Corporation must reach to maximum number of people. He said that training of this art, which is on the verge of extinction, should be conducted periodically throughout the state to preserve the heritage of the State Handloom and Handicrafts. He directed to explore the possibility of opening show-window-cum-sale counter in Chandigarh for sale of handicrafts and handloom products of Himachal.

The Corporation is implementing Central Central-sponsored project, Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS), of Rs. 23.38 Crore, the duration of which is three years. During the year 2023-24 the Corporation benefitted 420 artisans and distributed the improved tool kits to 340 artisans. During the year 2024-25, the Corporation benefitted 840 artisans and weavers and distributed the improved toolkits to them. The renovation work of three emporia at Delhi, Dharamshala and Manali has been completed and the renovation work of three other emporia, two at Chamba and one at Shimla, is in progress. During the year 2025-26, 120 Design and Technical Development workshops and 20 Entrepreneur Development Programmes were organized for the benefit of approximately 2500 artisans of the State. Similarly, five thematic exhibitions will be organized within the State for sale of products of artisans for which two new emporia will be opened.

The Board of Directors authorized the Managing Director of the Corporation for diversification and market expansion of handloom products across Indian and foreign markets, with particular emphasis on Himalayan tweed, an artisanal wool fabric, developed by skilled weavers of Himachal Pradesh.

Managing Director of the Corporation Dr. Richa Verma explained in detail about the activities and achievements of the corporation. She told the board that the Corporation has conducted sale of handicrafts, handloom and allied products of Rs. 29.98 crore during the financial year 2024-25.

Additional Chief Secretary Industries R D Nazeem, Director Industries Dr. Yunus, Special Secretary Finance Vijay Wardhan and other senior officers were also present in the meeting.

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Will advocate opening of Shipki-La route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra with Central Government: Chief Minister

Launches border tourism activities at Shipki-La in Kinnaur district

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today launched border tourism activities at Shipki-La, a high-altitude 3,930 meters motorable mountain pass bordering India and China in tribal district of Kinnaur.

Addressing a public meeting on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that at the border we have eased restrictions for the tourists to enjoy the beauty of Shipki-La and the tourism activities here would strengthen the economy of the local people along with boosting tourism in the region. He said that the state government had requested the Ministry of Defence to grant permission for starting tourism activities in the border areas of Lepcha, Shipki-La, Giu and Rani Kanda. After the approval for the same, the border tourism initiative has been launched.

The Chief Minister said that the State government would raise the issue of starting Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Shipki-La with the central government as well. He added: "I would meet the Prime Minister and present this matter before him. Shipki-La will be the easiest route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra."

The centuries old Trade route between India and Tibet, Shipki-La, was closed for trade in the year 2020. There are immense possibilities of trade and cultural exchange through this pass and the matter of restarting it would also be raised before the Central Government, said the Chief Minister.

Sh. Sukhu stated that the state government has also urged the Center to establish Himachal Scout Battalion, which would have a special quota for the local people of the border areas of the state.

The matter of setting up an airport to promote tourism in the border areas would also be pursued before the Union Government. The state government would urge the Centre to abolish the Inner Line Check Post of the military and paramilitary forces, which currently creates permit related obstacles for tourists.

Special attention was being given to promoting seamless travel and improving the experience of tourists, under which cooperation with the Indian Army and Paramilitary Forces would be emphasized.

He said that the Wangtu-Atargu-Mud-Bhaba road connecting Lahaul-Spiti district to Kinnaur has been approved by the National Wildlife Board, thus paving the way for its construction which would reduce the distance between Shimla and Kaza by approximately 100 km.

The Chief Minister said that border roads were not only of strategic importance, but their purpose was to provide benefits to the people by increasing connectivity in remote border regions.

He said that he has also recently discussed about the action plan to promote tourism in the border areas with Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). There has also been a discussion on using various helipads of the ITBP to promote tourism in remote areas. Discussions have also been held about providing medical facilities to the people through the health institutions of the ITBP.

The Chief Minister said that we were proud of the valour of the Army and the Paramilitary Forces. He also inaugurated the Border Forest Park at Shipki-La and visited Indira Gandhi Point.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi welcomed the Chief Minister and thanked him for inaugurating border tourism activities. He said that more basic facilities would be increased at Shipki-La in near future. He also urged to start on-demand bus route in the area.

Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Namgya Baldev Negi also welcomed the Chief Minister. Besides, the local Mahila Mandals presented attractive cultural programs.

Chairman Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Bank Devendra Shyam, Chairman KINFED Chandra Gopal Negi, Commanding Officer 19, Bihar Regiment Col. Nitin Shankar, Commanding Officer 11, Mahar Colonel G.K. Gunde, Commandant 43 Btln, ITBP Surendra Panwar, Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar, Superintendent of Police Abhishek and senior officers of the Army, the ITBP and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

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Vikramaditya Singh calls on Union Defence Minister

PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh called on Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at New Delhi on Monday evening.

He urged for declaration of Ghatasni-Shilha-Badhani-Bhubujot- Kullu road as a National Highway keeping in view its strategic significance. He said that there was an urgent need for an alternative connectivity to Pathankot-Manali-Leh National Highway and this road would not only serve the purpose but also shorten the distance by about 55 km. Moreover, it would also provide a stable highway besides boosting tourism and strengthening rural economy.

He urged the Union Minister to accord sanction to the project.

Rajnath Singh assured to provide all possible support to the state.

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