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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Indian Express
Shipki La to be opened for tourists, adventure enthusiasts from June 10: Himachal minister
Shimla, June 2 The strategically important Shipki La Pass on the India-China border in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district would be opened to tourists and adventure enthusiasts from June 10, Himachal Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said on Monday. 'The move will boost tourism in the remote tribal belt and reaffirm India's presence in the sensitive border region,' he said. Shipki La, a high-altitude mountain pass located at an elevation of over 4,000 metres, has so far remained largely inaccessible to civilians due to its sensitive location and harsh winter conditions. The Sutlej river, known as Langqen Zangbo in Tibet, enters India through this pass. The area also hosts a dozen substantial buildings used by Indian security agencies and is of immense strategic value. Negi said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu would formally inaugurate the Shipki La Pass on June 10, marking a major step towards controlled civilian access to the border. 'Only Indian nationals will be allowed to visit the pass after showing their Aadhaar cards,' the minister said, adding that adequate security protocols and identity verification measures will be in place. Negi further said, 'Although locals have had access to this pass for a long time. It is a strategically important location, where we are at the height, and the Chinese, on the other side, are on the low elevation. Locals go there for marginal trades. Earlier, locals used to bring sheep from the opposite side in the trade, but since the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2019, customs authorities banned the trade.' A government statement said the decision to allow limited tourism to Shipki La follows a high-level meeting held recently between defence personnel and the chief minister. Authorities see this as a step towards integrating border regions with mainstream tourism circuits while maintaining national security. During winters, Shipki La remains cut off due to heavy snowfall. However, with improved road access and better coordination between civil and military agencies, the government is confident of safely facilitating travel during the accessible summer window. The opening of Shipki La is expected to attract trekkers, photographers and history enthusiasts, offering them a rare glimpse into the majestic landscapes and geo-political importance of the Indo-Tibetan border.
India Gazette
22-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Himachal Pradesh: Confederation of Indian Industry hosts 6th annual Apple Conclave in Shimla
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 22 (ANI): The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Himachal Pradesh Chapter, hosted its 6th annual Apple conclave in Shimla on Thursday, bringing together over 600 apple growers, agricultural experts, government officials, and industry leaders. The conclave focused on empowering apple farmers with modern horticulture techniques and improved market access. It also witnessed a strong advocacy for imposing a ban on apple imports from Turkey, citing the threat of market destabilisation and unfair pricing. The event was inaugurated by Himachal Pradesh Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi, who emphasised the significance of the conclave as a collaborative platform for farmers, government departments, scientists, and industry stakeholders. 'This conclave, organised by the Himachal chapter of the Confederation of Indian Industry, provides a platform to Himachal farmers and enables coordination between companies, departmental officials, and scientists. Regarding the demand to impose a complete ban on Turkish apple imports, our Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Sukhu, has already taken up this matter with the Centre in Delhi and is meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss this and other key issues. While a certain percentage of imports are allowed due to global trade mandates, we must ensure there is no dumping. Tariffs should be increased, which is being actively discussed,' said Jagat Negi. Deepan Garg, Chairman of CII Himachal Pradesh, elaborated on the objective of the conclave, underlining its origins and its focus on strengthening apple farming as a pillar of the state's rural economy. 'We started the Apple conclave six years ago to empower farmers. While individual cooperative platforms existed, there was no organised, state-level forum like this. Apple farming plays a vital role in Himachal's economy. Through this conclave, we try to resolve issues like global competition, technology use, plant material, packaging, transportation, and supply chains. Experts are invited, feedback is collected, and experiences are shared via CII. This 6th edition saw record participation with nearly 600 farmers,' said Garg. 'We have already sent a resolution to Union Minister Piyush Goyal a week ago, urging a ban on Turkish apple imports,' he added. Garg noted that apple imports from Turkey threaten Himachal's apple economy, calling for urgent policy responses like raising the Minimum Import Price (MIP) and implementing stricter import regulations. The conclave also drew participation from grassroots farmer bodies, including the Himachal Pradesh Sayukt Kisan Manch, whose convener Harish Chauhan underlined the CII's key role in introducing reforms in packaging and post-harvest processes. 'Farmers recognise the role of CII in apple farming. Whether it's corrugated packaging boxes, grading, or sorting machines, these are all areas where farmers need support to compete globally. CII has played a major role in promoting universal carton packaging and should now also help provide automatic grading and sorting machines at affordable prices. We are reducing the use of pesticides and fungicides because of the growing demand for natural farming worldwide, ' said Harish Chauhan. Chauhan stressed that apple horticulture should be recognized as a full-fledged industry and demanded that farmers be included as members of CII. He also highlighted that a memorandum demanding a ban on Turkish apples has been submitted to the Prime Minister through the state Governor. 'We sent a memorandum two days ago via the Governor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding a ban on Turkish apple imports. The Governor has assured us that this memorandum will be forwarded to both the President and the Prime Minister. Turkish apples are arriving at prices as low as Rs 40 per kg, undercutting local produce. We demand that the Minimum Import Price be fixed at Rs 100/kg. This is necessary to protect local apple growers,' Chauhan added. He also warned that apples arriving under SAFTA agreements from Iran and Iraq are hurting the domestic market and called for enhanced tariffs on all imported apples. The conclave ended with a call to action, with farmers, industry representatives, and policymakers unified in their appeal to the central government to intervene in the matter of imported apples, particularly from Turkey. The CII promised to intensify its advocacy at the national level, while farmers urged the state to work with the Union Government to implement protections that can preserve the viability of apple farming, a backbone of Himachal Pradesh's economy. (ANI)
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Himachal Cabinet clears decks for recruitment of 1,000 pashu mitras
The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, approved several key decisions, including the Pashu Mitra Policy 2025, clearing decks for the recruitment of 1,000 Multi-Task Workers (Pashu Mitras) in the Animal Husbandry Department on Monday. The Cabinet also approved amendments to the Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning Rules, 2014, to regulate construction on the valley side under the Shimla Municipal Corporation jurisdiction. Under the revised rules, buildings must be constructed at least one metre below the road level to preserve the valley's scenic beauty. The amendments aim to preserve the valley's aesthetic appeal for visitors, according to a statement. To improve library management in schools, the Cabinet approved the filling of 100 posts of Junior Office Assistant (Library) in the Education Department. It also sanctioned the creation of 10 posts of Senior Assistant and 15 posts of Junior Office Assistant (IT) in the Revenue Department. In a related move, the Cabinet gave its nod to fill five posts of various categories in the Himachal Pradesh State Transport Appellate Tribunal, Hamirpur, and five posts of Ayurvedic Pharmacy Officer in the Ayush Department on a batch-wise basis. The Cabinet approved a significant hike — from Rs 700 to Rs 1,200 per animal — in the monthly fodder grant for Gauvansh kept in Gausadans across the state. It also raised the monthly honorarium for operation theatre assistants from Rs 17,820 to Rs 25,000, and for radiographers and x-ray technicians from Rs 13,100 to Rs 25,000. The Mukhya Mantri Green Adoption Yojana was approved to encourage private entrepreneurs to plant on degraded forest land as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts to increase the state's forest cover. The Cabinet decided to include the adjoining forest area of Mata Tara Devi Temple in Shimla district under the green area of the Shimla Development Plan, promoting sustainable development. It also approved the formulation of comprehensive guidelines for hiring e-taxis under the Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-Up Yojna 2023. To enhance operational efficiency, the Cabinet approved the merger of the design wing with the civil wing in the Public Works Department. Additionally, it renamed the veterinary dispensary at Sarahan as Veterinary Dispensary Baga Sarahan in the Nirmand block of Kullu district. The meeting was attended by all Cabinet ministers, except for Revenue and Tribal Minister Jagat Singh Negi, who is on an official trip to abroad.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘No major action': Himachal Pradesh minister Jagat Singh Negi questions Centre's steps after Pahalgam attack
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh revenue minister Jagat Singh Negi on Monday said the BJP-led central govt had not taken any tangible action against Pakistan after the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. He argued that sending back a few Pakistanis cannot be termed a major action against terrorism. Criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi , the minister said Modi threatened Pakistan during a political rally in Bihar after the Pahalgam attack took place when he should have been in Kashmir. "A lot of time has passed since. A lot of water of Sindhu (Indus) has also flowed over to Pakistan, but no meaningful action was taken on the ground against Pakistan till now," said Negi. He added Pakistan retaliated and closed its airspace to airlines from India, causing airlines to face financial losses daily. "Sending back a few Pakistanis is no big action against terror," said Negi. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 10 Mysterious Photos That Cannot Be Explained True Edition Undo Responding to a question by reporters about whether he feels that the country is in safe hands, Negi replied that if it were so, no such terrorist attack like Pahalgam would have happened. He reiterated terrorism cannot be eliminated just by deporting few people and it required serious action. The revenue minister said that the state govt has issued strict directions to the police and other agencies to remain vigilant, especially in the districts bordering Jammu and Kashmir, to prevent any unfortunate incidents. MSID:: 120699092 413 |
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Revenue minister Jagat Singh Negi orders penalty on firms failing to complete solar fencing work
Shimla: Revenue and horticulture minister Jagat Singh Negi on Wednesday directed the officials concerned to impose a penalty, as per the contract, if the firms engaged in solar fencing and field preparation fail to complete the work on time. Chairing a meeting of the governing council of the HP Shiva Project , Negi also asked Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar Horticulture and Forestry University, Nauni in Solan district, to provide high-quality plants of plum and persimmon (Japanese fruit) to the farmers. He further directed the purchase of water-soluble nutrients and pesticides from branded companies through a tender process, besides the purchase of high-tech spray kits, pumps, and other equipment with the cooperation of the Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC). The minister said the HP Shiva Project was being implemented in seven districts of the state with a total outlay of 163 million dollars (Rs 1,292 crore), and so far, Rs 190 crore had been spent under this project. Under this project, solar fencing work is proposed on 4,000 hectares of land, and a target is set to complete the work on 2,750 hectares of land by June this year. So far, solar fencing work has been completed on 828 hectares of land. Negi also said only 'true-to-type' plants should be given to the farmers, whose quality was being tested in the molecular lab at Neri in Hamirpur – the facility has also been approved by the Asian Development Bank. He also mentioned that samples taken from the farmers' fields were being tested and the report was made available in seven or eight days. The minister, meanwhile, was informed that Nauni University would provide 40,000 saplings each of plum and persimmon varieties by Feb next year and a total of one lakh plants by the year 2027. As many as 66 agenda items were approved in the meeting. It was informed that an integrated digital platform was being developed under the HP Shiva Project, in which 75 types of artificial intelligence-based services like plant protection, disease management, soil testing, moisture level, weather information, tracing and tracking of production, capacity building, and marketing, etc., would be made available. MSID:: 120553555 413 |
