Latest news with #SukhvinderSukhu
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Strengthening Himachal's rural economy topmost priority: CM
Shimla, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Wednesday said his government is strengthening the rural economy to realise the dream of making Himachal Pradesh a self-reliant and prosperous state. He highlighted that more than 80 per cent of the state's population is dependent on agriculture and horticulture. Therefore, empowering the agrarian community is the topmost priority of the government. He said Himachal has become the first state in the country to provide a minimum support price on organic products obtained from natural farming. "My government twice enhanced the MSP on procurement of maize, firstly to ₹30 and thereafter to ₹40 per kg and that of wheat from ₹40 to ₹60 per kg. Besides, to increase the production of raw turmeric, my government is providing an MSP of ₹90 per kg," said the chief minister. "The state government has introduced maize flour produced through natural farming under the brand name Him-Bhog Him-Makki. This product highlights the state's commitment to sustainable agriculture and empowering farmers. "More than 4,000 quintals of maize have been procured from as many as 1,590 farmer families practising natural farming across 10 districts of the state, excluding Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur", he said. Sukhu said the state government has made Him-Bhog flour available through Public Distribution System depots across the state. It is also available on the government-authorised portal HIM-ERA. This initiative aims to make organic maize flour accessible to both urban and rural populations, he said, adding that ₹1.20 crore was directly transferred to farmers' bank accounts for the procurement of around 400 metric tonnes of maize. "From this financial year, the state government has decided to provide MSP for raw turmeric, which will be processed and marketed under the brand name 'Himachal Haldi'. The state government has set a target to connect 9.61 lakh farmers with natural farming in a phased manner," Sukhu said.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Shongtong-Karcham hydro project to be commissioned by Nov 2026: Himachal CM Sukhu
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Monday visited the Shongtong-Karcham hydroelectric project in Kinnaur district to inspect the ongoing developmental works and announced its completion by November 2026. Chief Minister Sukhu inspected the powerhouse at Karcham town and visited the barrage site at Powari, where he interacted with engineers and workers of the project. Chief Minister Sukhu directed completion of this 450 MW capacity hydroelectric project in a time-bound manner by November 2026 and said that after the commissioning of the Shongtong-Karcham hydroelectric project, Himachal Pradesh would earn annual revenue of about Rs 1,000 crore. Chief Minister Sukhu said that work on the Shongtong-Karcham hydroelectric project was underway for the last 13 years, but his government accelerated its construction and the project would be dedicated to the nation in a stipulated time period. He added the government was taking concrete steps to ensure proper exploitation of its river water, to strengthen the economy of Himachal. Chief Minister Sukhu said the Himachal government was working to take over the Dhaulasidh, Luhri and Sunni hydropower projects and the total amount spent on these projects so far was being evaluated. He stated that henceforth, the Himachal government would take forward the construction work of hydropower projects on its own terms so that the interests of the state could be protected, which were completely sidelined by the previous BJP government. Chief Minister Sukhu said the Himachal government was also moving towards setting up a geo-thermal power project at Tapri in Kinnaur district and making advancement in the field of electricity by producing solar and green hydrogen energy. He said despite being a surplus energy state, 'we are purchasing electricity in winters i.e. from October to March at Rs 5 to Rs 6 per unit from neighbouring states. Solar energy production is being promoted as much as possible during this time period so that the government does not require to buy electricity.' Chief Minister Sukhu said solar projects of about 626 MW capacity were at various stages of construction through HPPCL.
Hans India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Himachal will release water only if BBMB arrears are cleared: CM Sukhu
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Wednesday said the state would give water to Delhi and Haryana if they give Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) arrears pending for 14 years to the state. Speaking at a public gathering at Dehuri in the Banjar development block of Kullu district, he said: 'I went to Delhi with the demands of the people of Himachal Pradesh. We will give water to Delhi and Haryana, but first, they should give the BBMB arrears pending for 14 years to Himachal Pradesh. 'I have clearly said first that the neighbouring states should file an affidavit in the Supreme Court to pay the arrears, then we will move forward on the Kishau dam. I consider the state as my family, so I will not compromise with the interests of Himachal Pradesh.' During his two-day visit, the Chief Minister announced to opening of Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School, affiliated with the CBSE and a milk processing unit with a capacity of 10,000 litres in Banjar. He said the government was bringing about extensive reforms in the field of education, and these efforts would continue in future as well. Slamming former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, he said the BJP leader distributed electoral freebies of Rs 5,000 crore to win the assembly elections. 'He opened new institutions but cheated the people of the state by not providing staff and proper facilities. He's responsible for the decline in the level of education.' The Chief Minister said: 'We are not opening new educational institutions, but appointing teachers in schools and providing facilities so that children in rural areas can get a better education environment. As a step to bring reforms, we created the Directorate of School Education from class 1 to XII, started English medium classes and will make extensive reforms in the field of education in the coming time.' The Chief Minister said those who had already been accused of corruption were making false allegations against the present state government to mislead the people of the state. 'Today, they have become the policymakers of the BJP, but first, they should look into their own affairs.' During the natural calamity in 2023, the BJP leaders did not go to the Central government even once to plead for the rights of the affected families, while the Congress government stood with the people. 'We changed the rules to rehabilitate the affected families and gave a special relief package and increased the compensation for the house being completely damaged from Rs 1.50 lakh to Rs 7 lakh, while the compensation for the partially damaged house was increased to one lakh,' the Chief Minister added.
Hans India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Himachal CM bats for protection of state's rights in Kishau, Renuka hydropower projects
New Delhi: Emphasising the need for a favourable funding pattern from the Centre, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Thursday met Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil and advocated the protection of the state's rights in the multi-purpose Kishau and Renuka Dam hydropower projects. Besides the Kishau project, then Union Minister for Water Resources Nitin Gadkari on August 28, 2018, had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh in New Delhi for the construction of two other major projects being envisaged in the Upper Yamuna reaches. They are the Rs 3966.51 crore Lakhwar Multi-Purpose project and the Renukaji Multi-Purpose project. At the meeting with Union Minister Patil, Chief Minister Sukhu said the financial burden of the Kishau project should be borne entirely either by the Centre or by the major beneficiary states -- Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The Chief Minister also raised critical issues concerning the Renuka Dam project. He called for due consideration of the Local Area Development Fund and the free power component. He said that while hydro projects are essential for national development, the environmental and social impacts must also be addressed, and the affected states should be fairly compensated. Besides, the Chief Minister requested the early release of the pending amount under the Jal Jeevan Mission for the state. Union Minister Patil assured the Chief Minister of all possible assistance and cooperation from the Central government. The Kishau project, which includes the construction of a 236-m high concrete dam across the Tons, a tributary of the Yamuna in Dehradun district, will create an irrigation potential of about 97,000 hectares, make available 517 MCM drinking water, and generate 660 MW of power. The Renukaji project, which has been conceived as a storage project on the Giri, also a tributary of the Yamuna in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh, envisages the construction of a 148-m high rock-filled dam for the supply of 23 cumec water to Delhi and will generate 40 MW of power during peak flow. As per the pact of 1994, separate agreements will have to be made between the six basin states for each water storage project in the upper reaches of the Yamuna. After completion of all these storage projects in Upper Yamuna Basin (including Lakhwar), the total benefits in terms of additional irrigation potential created will be 130,856 hectares, water availability for various uses will be 1,093.83 MCM, and power generation capacity will be 1,060 MW.
Hans India
26-04-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Himachal farmers promoting cow dung, buttermilk for natural farming in mountainous terrain
Shimla: Dung of indigenous cow, containing 300 to 500 times more beneficial microorganisms compared to other livestock, and homemade inputs like sour buttermilk sprays are being preferred for natural farming in the mountainous Pangi Valley of Himachal Pradesh's Chamba district, nestled amidst the Pir Panjal range, where cropping is being done by traditional methods for sustainable ecosystem. Around 25,000 people residing in 19 panchayats of the Pangi Valley, which faces harsh climatic conditions, are largely dependent on agriculture and horticulture for their livelihood. Traditional farming methods often expose crops to the risk of diseases. However, natural farming practices, which they are opting for now, not only offer better protection against natural threats but also enhance crop yield, resulting in increased income, the government said on Saturday. The villagers, settled along the banks of the Chandrabhaga river, are elated with the announcement of making Pangi the state's first natural farming sub-division. Although traditional farming methods have been practised in Pangi for centuries but the adoption of natural farming techniques is expected to significantly enhance the economic prosperity of local farmers and orchardists, believes the government. The declaration of the first natural farming subdivision was made by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu this month. Since then, the district administration has accelerated efforts to implement this decision on the ground. Responding to the government initiative, woman farmer Ratto Devi, a resident of Bhatwas village, who adopted natural farming two years ago, said their ancestors too refrained from using chemicals in agriculture and even today they avoid chemical fertilisers, pesticides or any synthetic treatments for farming. She said spraying of 'ghanjivamrit' (a natural bio-enhancer) has significantly improved crop production. Similarly, another woman farmer, Savitri Devi of Punto village, said all the inputs required for natural farming are readily available at home. She said that preparations like 'ghanjivamrit' and 'jivamrit' are used to enhance soil fertility and crop productivity. A core requirement of natural farming is the indigenous Indian cow. To protect crops from fungal infections and pests, natural concoctions like sour buttermilk sprays, 'kannai astra' and 'agni astra' are being used. She expresses hope that the establishment of a natural farming subdivision by the government will not only promote natural farming across the valley but also substantially enhance the income of farmers and orchardists. With the formation of the current government in 2022, multiple initiatives have been undertaken to promote natural farming in the Pangi Valley. Currently, natural farming is being practised on approximately 400 hectares, and over 2,100 farmers have been trained in this agricultural method. Block Training Manager Pali said chemical farming was historically never practised in the region. As of now, 90 per cent of the cultivated land is under agriculture, while the remaining 10 per cent is covered under horticulture activities. With the efforts of the government, a Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) comprising natural farming practitioners has been established. Through this FPO, apples are being sold at a rate of Rs 75 per kg, while farmers are also receiving fair prices for crops like kidney beans (rajmah), potatoes and peas. The creation of the natural farming subdivision will further benefit the farmers of the region, according to agriculture experts. At the state-level Himachal Day celebrations in Pangi this month, the Chief Minister declared a support price of Rs 60 per kg for barley crops cultivated through natural farming methods.
