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Indian Express
03-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
‘Fixing accountability, initiating projects to produce skilled workforce top priorities': Himachal Pradesh University V-C
After being appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh University on Monday, Prof. Mahavir Singh shared with The Indian Express that his top priorities would be establishing accountability and enhancing the standard of research. He also emphasised the need to create centres to produce skilled students, particularly in the field of Green Energy. Meanwhile, a regular Vice Chancellor of HPU Shimla was appointed after a gap of three years. Q: What are your priorities as the V-C? HPU is a prestigious institute, but our university lacks projects relevant to modern times. For instance, when the entire country, especially Himachal Pradesh, is talking about Green Energy, I feel HPU should have a separate wing to deliver skilled scholars in this field. Second, I believe the standard of research at the university should be improved. When I joined HPU as a faculty member, the standard of research at that time was quite higher than what we see today. Third, student exchange programmes are very important for their growth and the growth of the university. Q: HPU had no regular V-C for three years. Do you think this has hurt the university's progress? Besides communication gaps, there were certain shortcomings in day-to-day proceedings in the absence of a regular Vice-Chancellor. Also, the person with the additional V-C charge couldn't come to the university every day. Shortcomings include indiscipline on the part of students as well as faculty members. I will take feedback from every individual to help increase and fix accountability. There is no doubt that HPU staff and faculty members are very hardworking, but what they need is direction. Q: How are you going to address the financial crunch issue? In 2025-26, HPU had prepared an estimated budget of Rs 300 crore but received Rs 152 crore, the same amount it had in 2024-25. I have been a member of the HPU Executive Committee (EC) for a long time, so I understand this problem. Merely increasing the students' fees is not the solution. We have to develop means to generate revenue, like introducing professional courses. I have decided to take up the matter with Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, because the past two to three financial years saw HPU receiving the same budget, approximately Rs 152 crore. The liabilities, particularly of pensioners, have been increasing every year. The university should be able to bear these liabilities. Q: Have you been expecting your selection as the V-C? I was among the top five shortlisted contenders. The search and screening committee interviewed me, too. I was hopeful that I would be selected for this responsibility.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Sanyukt Kisan Manch demands ban on Turkish apple imports
1 2 3 Shimla: A delegation of the Sanyukt Kisan Manch met governor Shiv Pratap Shukla at Raj Bhavan here on Tuesday and submitted a memorandum for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking a ban on the import of apples from Turkey. The convener of the Manch, Harish Chauhan, informed the governor that India currently imports apples from around 44 countries, with Turkey alone exporting nearly 1.29 lakh metric tonnes. He said Turkey earned approximately Rs 800 to 1,000 crore from apple exports to India. Highlighting the significance of the apple industry in Himachal, Chauhan informed the governor that the state produces between six to ten lakh metric tonnes of apples every year, and nearly three or four lakh families were directly dependent on this sector. Banning apple imports from Turkey will not only boost the economy of the state but also send a strong message against countries that support terrorism and maintain close ties with Pakistan, he added. The governor expressed support for the demands of the Kisan Manch and assured the delegation that their memorandum would be forwarded to the President and the Prime Minister. He said the matter directly concerned the economic well-being of the state and the interests of the farmers and orchardists must be protected.
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Clamour to ban import of apples from Turkiye grows louder
The clamour to ban the import of apples from Turkiye, which supports Pakistan in India's fight against terrorism, continues to grow louder. In Himachal Pradesh's Shimla, a delegation from the Sanyukt Kisan Manch, an amalgamation of over two dozen farmer and horticulturist groups from the State, on Tuesday (May 20, 2025) met Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla with a memorandum for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to press for a ban on the import of apples from Turkiye. Separately, a delegation from Tharonk village in the Kotkhai area of Shimla district met Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and demanded that the issue of a complete ban on the import of Turkish apples be taken up with the Union Government. Sanyukt Kisan Manch convener Harish Chauhan said India currently imports apples from around 44 countries, with Turkiye exporting nearly 1.29 lakh metric tonnes of apples to India annually. Turkiye earns approximately ₹800 crore to ₹1,000 crore from apple exports to India, Mr. Chauhan said. Himachal Pradesh produces between six to 10 lakh metric tonnes of apples every year, and about three lakh to four lakh families depended directly on the sector, the farmer leader said. 'Banning apple imports from Turkiye would not only boost the economy of the State but also send a strong message to countries that support terrorism and maintain close ties with Pakistan,' he added. Mr. Sukhu said on Monday (May 19, 2025) that he would write to the Prime Minister seeking such a ban. He also said he would personally speak with Mr. Modi on May 24, when he is due to meet the PM at a scheduled gathering of all Chief Ministers.
New Indian Express
18-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Stop import of Turkish apples, say Himchal Pradesh growers
CHANDIGARH: The apple growers of Himachal Pradesh, who play a key role in making an apple economy worth Rs 5,000 crore in the hill state, demanded on Saturday that India halt the import of Turkish apples and avoid further reducing the import tariff on Washington apples. Their resolve follows Turkey openly supporting Pakistan when India launched Operation Sindoor to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Sanyukt Kisan Manch (SKM), Himachal Pradesh, convener Harish Chauhan, said that they will meet Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on May 20 and hand him a memorandum for PM Narendra Modi demanding a pause on the import of Turkish apples. He stated that the import of apples from Iran should also be stopped. Besides, the import tariff on Washington apples should not be further reduced, and the Minimum Import Price (IMP) on apples should be Rs 100 per kilogram. Last year, the Centre announced that it would levy Rs 50 per kg IMP on the import of apples from abroad, but that was not implemented. 'The apple season will start in mid-July, and this year, the apple crop is expected to be the same as last year's (2.18 crore boxes). Import of apples from Turkey and Iran impacts our apple growers, as a kg of the fruit from Turkey and Iran costs between Rs 60 and Rs 65, and Rs 40 per kg, respectively. Our cost of production is approximately Rs 40 per kg. We sell our best apple in the running market for approximately Rs 50-Rs 60 per kg,'' he said. Chauhan further said that 1.10 million metric tons of apples were imported from Turkey in 2022, which rose to 1.29 million metric tons in 2023. However, Turkey's imports fell to only 1.11 million metric tons last year.
New Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Himachal farmers demand ban on Turkish apples
CHANDIGARH: Apple growers of Himachal Pradesh, who contribute around Rs 5,000 crore to the apple economy of the hill state, have demanded that India should stop importing Turkish apples. They also demanded that the import tariff on Washington apples should not be decreased further. The demand came following the discontent among Indians after Turkey expressed open support for Pakistan after 'Operation Sindoor'. Talking to TNIE, Sanyukt Kisan Manch (SKM), Himachal Pradesh, convener Harish Chauhan said that they will be meeting Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on May 20 to discuss the issue. They will be handing him a memorandum for Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding that the import of Turkish apples should be stopped by the Union government in India. They have also demanded that the import of apples from Iran should not be allowed, and the import tariff on Washington apples should not be decreased further. The Minimum Import Price (IMP) on apples, which were imported from various countries, should be Rs 100 per kilogram. Last year, the union government announced that it would levy Rs 50 per kg IMP on the import of apples from abroad, but that was not implemented. "The apple season of Himachal Pradesh will start from mid-July, and it is expected that this year the apple crop will almost be the same as last year (2.18 crore boxes)," said Harish Chauhan. He also said that the apple growers are badly impacted because of the import of apples from Turkey and Iran. "Per kg of apple from Turkey costs between Rs 60 to Rs 65, and that from Iran costs anywhere between Rs 38 to Rs 40 per kg."
