Himachal govt will soon declare support price for potato: CM
Shimla, Jun 12 (PTI) The support price for potatoes would be declared soon to strengthen the economy of the farmers, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said, while chairing the state-level Multi-Stakeholder Consultative conference here on Thursday.
The state government is 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 in the conference organised by Himachal Pradesh Revitalizing Rainfed Agriculture Network.
The state government was promoting green energy and natural farming in a big way. The minimum support price has been fixed for crops produced from natural farming, and it would be further increased in the coming time, a statement quoted the chief minister as saying.
Highlighting the importance of natural farming, he said many new schemes would be implemented in the coming year to boost the rural economy.
The chief minister said after the northeastern states, the highest increase in cancer cases had been witnessed in Himachal Pradesh, and efforts were on to find out the root cause and change in food habits could also be a reason for the rise in such cases.
He said 80 per cent of the state's population depends on agriculture for livelihood. Agriculture is the backbone of Himachal's economy and contributes about 14 per cent to the state's gross domestic product (GDP).
He also expressed concern over the changing pattern of weather, which was adversely affecting the agriculture sector. These challenges could be faced effectively by taking steps like climate-tolerant agriculture, promotion of pulses, extensive animal husbandry, more use of traditional seeds, and laying emphasis on water security and soil conservation.
The traditional seeds and crops grown through natural farming were rich in nutrition and required less water. 'We need to reuse such traditional crops and these had to be further improved through research to ensure nutritious food and a clean environment for future generations", he asserted.
He 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 recipient Nek Ram Sharma discussed the importance of millets, along with the conservation of water, forest and land. PTI BPL BAL BAL
First Published:
June 12, 2025, 21:15 IST
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
26 minutes ago
- Indian Express
UP govt signs MoU with UK for Chevening scholarship for study at Britain's top varsities
The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for the 'Chevening-Atal Bihari Vajpayee Uttar Pradesh State Government Scholarship Scheme' under which five meritorious students from the state will pursue master's degrees at Britain's leading universities every year. The agreement was signed in Lucknow by British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The UP Cabinet had recently approved the proposal for the scholarship scheme. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Adityanath said this scholarship scheme will serve as a powerful platform to transform the state's education system and prepare the youth for global leadership roles. The scheme, he emphasised, aimed to enable meritorious students to achieve excellence in education, research, and leadership at the international level. The programme will commence from the academic session 2025-26 and run for three years, with the possibility of renewal from the 2028-29 session. The CM urged the students to 'seize this opportunity and enhance the pride of both the state and the country'. The scholarship covers tuition, examination and research fees, living allowances, and airfare to and from the UK. The total cost per student is estimated to be £38,048 to £42,076 (Rs 45–48 lakh), with the state government contributing around £19,800 (Rs 23 lakh) and the remainder funded by the FCDO. The British High Commissioner highlighted that under the scholarship scheme, five students will receive full scholarships to study in the UK each year for the next three years. This initiative reflects the strengthening ties between India and the UK, an official statement said, adding this comes in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the UK, where he had signed the Trade Agreement and Vision 35, opening new avenues for business and education. On August 7, the state Cabinet had given nod to the draft proposal titled 'Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee-Chevening Uttar Pradesh State Government Scholarship Scheme'. The government then announced that the scholarship will provide for students' stay and study at top UK institutions like the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, and the Landon School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). UP Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay then had stated the scheme will be renewed or extended thereafter. He had also said the funding will be equally shared by the state government and FCDO. The state government has cleared Rs 2 crore for the current financial year for the programme, it is learnt.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Kerala HC grants bail to four PFI men in 2022 murder case
Kochi: HC, on Tuesday, granted bail to four accused – Muhammed Bilal, Riyasudheen, K P Ansar and K V Saheer – in RSS leader Sreenivasan's murder case. They are members of the banned outfit Popular Front of India (PFI). Sreenivasan was murdered at Melamuri Junction in Palakkad on April 16, 2022, allegedly by PFI men. A bench comprising Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar passed the order by allowing the petitions filed by the accused challenging the NIA special court, Ernakulam, which had dismissed their bail applications. The bench directed that each accused be released on bail upon executing a bond of Rs 1 lakh with two solvent sureties for the like sum to the satisfaction of the special court. HC also imposed conditions, including that the petitioners shall not leave the revenue district of Ernakulam without prior permission of the special court; they shall surrender their passports before the court immediately; they must provide their full and updated residential address to the investigating officer (IO); they shall use only one mobile number during the bail period and communicate it to the IO and they shall report before the SHO of the police station having jurisdiction over their place of residence once every fortnight. In 2022, Centre had declared PFI and its affiliates/frontal outfits as an 'unlawful association' under the provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. It was revealed that PFI and its members were allegedly responsible for several violent incidents and murders in Kerala, creating a sense of terror in the minds of the people. Further, it was alleged that PFI, its office-bearers and its members were indulging in unlawful activities with the intent to foment disaffection against the Indian State by provoking individuals—particularly innocent members of Muslim community—to defy govt and institutions established by law. Accordingly, Centre directed NIA to investigate the activities of PFI, including Sreenivasan's murder. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
A step closer to gig workers' safety, onus on aggregators
Bengaluru: The legislative assembly Tuesday passed the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025, placing obligations on aggregators to provide social security benefits, including occupational health and safety, to gig workers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Proposing to establish the gig welfare fund on the lines of the fund for construction workers, the govt had earlier promulgated an ordinance on April 11, with governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot giving assent on May 27. The Bill now replaces the ordinance and envisages the creation of a Gig Workers Welfare Board to manage the fund and extend welfare measures. Opposition members, including CN Ashwath Narayan, suggested the govt also contribute to the fund along with aggregators. In response, labour minister Santosh Lad, who tabled the bill, said such suggestions would be considered while framing rules for legislation. However, to a proposal from BJP's Suresh Kumar to bring outsourced employees under the bill, Lad said: "They can't be included as they do not fit the definition of gig workers. " Lad explained that the contribution of aggregators to the fund would be determined by the Board. The bill allows aggregators to collect 1% to 5% of a gig workers' welfare fee from customers, which must be deposited into the fund at the end of each quarter. "The legislation ensures social security for gig workers. It is the need of the hour considering the rapid emergence of the gig economy," Lad said. "A NITI Aayog report says by 2029-30, about 23.5 million people will be employed as gig workers, creating many opportunities in this sector. There are about 4 lakh gig workers in Karnataka." Key provisions of the bill include a dispute resolution mechanism, registration of gig workers and aggregators with the Board, and measures to provide reasonable job security and health safety. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Board will comprise four representatives from gig workers' associations, representatives of aggregators, and two from civil society. It will also have powers to enter into agreements between gig workers and aggregators to prevent indiscriminate termination. Gig workers may also file complaints against aggregators before the Board, and in case of injustice, appeal before an Internal Dispute Committee even against the Board itself. Highlighting challenges workers face, Lad said: "Gig workers, especially two-wheeler riders, are constantly exposed to noise and environmental pollution. Some work 18 hours to earn Rs 1,800, taking on 25 to 30 delivery tasks a day. They face severe health hazards which is why this bill has been introduced." Who is a gig worker? The bill defines gig workers as those engaged through online platforms for services such as food and grocery delivery, logistics, e-market operations, health services, travel and hospitality besides others. It states that a gig worker is a person who performs or participates in a work arrangement, is paid a fee as per terms of a contract, and whose work is sourced through a platform in the services specified in the schedule.
