Himachal Pradesh Government

Governor pays floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on Martyrs’ Day
A tribute meeting was held at Lok Bhavan on the martyrdom day of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait during the programme held in the Darbar Hall. He also remembered Gandhiji’s teachings and great contribution to the nation.

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said that Mahatma Gandhi led India to freedom by following the path of truth and non-violence. He said that Gandhiji’s message is even more important today, when the world is facing conflict and intolerance.

The Governor said that the country will always be grateful to Gandhiji for leading one of the world’s biggest non-violent movements. He said that Gandhiji showed the world how powerful non-violence can be in bringing social and political change.

He also said that Gandhi’s ideals continue to inspire people and guide society towards peace, justice and harmony.

Secretary to the Governor C.P. Verma, along with other officers and staff of Lok Bhavan, also paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and remembered his life, ideals and sacrifices for the nation.

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State Govt committed to strengthen rural economy and uplift farmers: CM
· HIMCON Chairman calls on Chief Minister

Managing Director and Chairman of HIMCON Vikesh Chauhan today here called on Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu along with a delegation from the Rampur Assembly Constituency and expressed gratitude to him for his appointment. Sh. Vikesh assured the Chief Minister that he would make every possible effort to live up to the expectations of the party high command.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister said that for the first time, a person from Rampur has been entrusted with this responsibility. He stated that the Congress Government in the State has completed three years in office and is making sustained efforts to ensure that the benefits of its welfare schemes reach those standing at the last rung of society.

Sh. Sukhu said that nearly 90 percent of state's population resides in rural areas and, keeping this in view, the state government has placed villages and farmers at the centre of its policies and programmes. He said that since the rural economy was primarily dependent on agriculture, the government has accorded top priority to the economic upliftment of farmers. He said that as part of a historic initiative, the present government has declared Minimum Support Prices for milk and naturally grown farm produce.

The Chief Minister said that the Congress Government was procuring wheat from farmers practicing natural farming at a support price of Rs. 60 per kilogram, maize at Rs. 40 per kilogram and raw turmeric at Rs. 90 per kilogram. In addition, cow milk is being procured at Rs. 51 per litre and buffalo milk at Rs. 61 per litre. Farmers who transport milk themselves to procurement centres located more than two kilometres away are also being provided a subsidy of Rs. 2 per litre, he said.

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Chief Minister pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on Martyr Day
Congress leaders observe two-hour fast against renaming of MGNREGA

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu along with other Congress leaders, today paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, on his death anniversary, observed as Martyrs’ Day (Shaheed Diwas), at the historic Ridge Ground, Shimla. After paying homage, the Congress leaders observed a two-hour fast from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm in protest against the renaming and dilution of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

Interacting with media persons, the Chief Minister said that the BJP-led Union Government has not only changed the name of MGNREGA but has also undermined the very spirit of the scheme. He stated that earlier the scheme provided employment opportunities, especially to the youth and women in rural areas, but employment avenues are now being curtailed.

Sh. Sukhu said that previously village pradhans had the powers to undertake works such as road construction under MGNREGA, ensuring employment near people’s homes and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the scheme played a crucial role in providing maximum employment to the people. However the powers of panchayat pradhans have now been taken away.

The Chief Minister further said that for the past 20 years, MGNREGA had guaranteed employment and also provided for an unemployment allowance if work was not offered. He said that today’s two-hour fast was organized to protest against the systematic dismantling of the scheme. He pointed out that earlier the Union Government use to bear 100 percent of the expenditure under MGNREGA, but it has now been changed to a 90:10 funding pattern, which would adversely affect the interests of Himachal Pradesh.

Responding to a query regarding the reduction of import duty on apples, the Chief Minister said that he had raised the issue of lowering import duty on apples from New Zealand in his previous meeting with Union Minister Piyush Goyal. He said that any reduction in import duty would seriously harm apple growers of Himachal Pradesh. On this issue, the Union Minister has asked the State Government to send a team of officers and orchardists from Himachal Pradesh, after which the Union Government will examine and discuss all aspects of the matter, he said.

Congress Himachal Pradesh In-charge Rajni Patil, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, AYUSH Minister Yadvinder Goma, HP Congress Committee President Vinay Kumar, Co-incharges Vidit Chaudhary and Chetan Chauhan, Former Pradesh Congress Committee President Pratibha Singh, MLAs Sanjay Awasthi, Malender Rajan, Hardeep Bawa, Anuradha Rana and Vinod Sultanpuri, Congress district presidents from various districts, Mayor Surender Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal along with chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of various boards and corporations and senior Congress leaders were present on the occasion. -0-

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Chief Minister calls on Union Minister for Civil Aviation
- Seeks support for expansion of Kangra airport and special grant for the project
- Requests to increase frequency of Chandigarh-Shimla-Chandigarh flights
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called on Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu at New Delhi today.

The Chief Minister sought support of the Union Minister for expansion of Kangra airport and urged for special central assistance (grant) for the project. He requested for speedy settlement of issues and added that Kangra district has immense tourism potential and state government was executing ambitious projects for attracting large number of tourists.

He also requested for introducing special visual flight rules for reducing minimum visibility criteria from existing 5 km to 2.5 km to ensure operation of flights during reduced visibility conditions.

The Chief Minister also discussed about handing over Kullu and Shimla airports to State Police instead of CISF keeping in view less number of flight operations and passengers which would also reduce the financial burden on the state. He also requested to extend the flight operation hours upto 4pm at Shimla airport for increasing the operation of flights.

He requested to the increase the frequency of number of flights from Chandigarh to Shimla and Shimla to Chandigarh besides sanctioning four proposed heliports at the earliest.

The Unions Minister directed the officers to hold a joint meeting with the concerned officers and prepare DPR for expansion of Kangra airport. He also assured full support to the state.

Chief Minister's Principal Advisor Ram Subhag Singh was also present in the meeting.

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Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu calls on Nitin Gadkari
- Seeks adequate financial support for repair and maintenance of roads and bridges in the state
- Union Minister gives in principle approval of Rs. 200 crore for Chaila-Neripul-Yashwant Nagar-Ochghat road
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called on Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari at New Delhi today. He held detailed discussions about strengthening the road infrastructure in the state and demanded adequate financial support for repair and maintenance of roads and bridges in the state.

The Union Minister approved Rs. 200 crore in principle under CRIF for Chaila-Neripul-Yashwant Nagar-Ochghat road which would facilitate the apple growers immensely in the state.

The Chief Minister apprised him about the progress of Shimla-Mataur National Highway which is providing connectivity to 8 districts with the state capital besides adjoining states. He requested for introduction of maximum number of tunnels for Packages between Shimla to Shalaghat and Bhager to Hamirpur keeping in view the hilly terrain and geological sensitivity of the area. He also requested for expediting the process for preparation of DPR for four laning of Package four which covers end of Hamirpur bypass at Chilbahal to Bhangbar and the new northern Hamirpur bypass.

He also informed that the Chil Bahal to Pucca Broh section has suffered severe damage during monsoons at various locations and has not been strengthened since last five to six years. He said that the stretch was important as it serves as a key access route to major religious destinations. He urged to issue necessary directions for handing over Chil Bahal to Pucca Baroh section of NH 03 to NH wing of HPPWD for carrying out development and maintenance activities. He also requested for according early sanctioning of Rs. 38.37 crore by NHAI.

The Union Minister gave his nod for the amount and assured of full support to the State government.

Chief Minister's Principal Advisor Ram Subhag Singh was present in the meeting.

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Chief Minister calls on Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change
· Urges for recognizing 29.5 percent forest and tree cover for all calculations relating to forest and ecology or other allocations

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called on Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav at New Delhi today.

Chief Minister apprised the Union Minister about the discrepancy registered in the actual tree cover of 29.5 percent against the officially recorded 27.99 percent. He said that this arises due to non inclusion of Trees outside Forest (ToF) in consolidated representation of State's forest and tree cover. He said that the state also exercises strict regulatory control over harvesting private lands under different status for which state doesn't receive any credit from the Centre Government.

He emphasized upon including this 1.5 percent component in the forest cover in order to recognize the State's true ecological and forestry contribution. He added that the Trees outside Forest contributes to conservation of green cover while preventing ecological degradation of fragile Himalayas.

He urged for recognizing 29.5 percent forest and tree cover for all calculations relating to forest and ecology under the Finance Commission or other allocations from the Centre Government. He demanded that 1.5 percent trees outside Forest component may be acknowledged as a legitimate and policy relevant contribution to ecosystem services, conservation effort and environmental governance.

He said that undervaluing the Trees outside Forest component undervalues the true contribution of Himachal Pradesh to the national eco system services and creates a bias against the state that protects trees.

Chief Minister also detailed about various initiatives of the state Government to expand the forest and tree cover on non forest and private land.

The Union Minister assured of all possible support to the State.

Chief Minister's Principal Advisor Ram Subhag Singh accompanied the Chief Minister.

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