Himachal Pradesh Government

CM discusses border development and collaboration with ITBP
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today held a meeting with Sanjay Gunjyal, Frontier Commander of the Northern Frontier Headquarters of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Dehradun.

During the meeting a detailed discussions were held regarding the role of ITBP in the border districts of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti and issues concerning security along the India-China border. Apart from this, various topics were deliberated upon, including a roadmap for promoting border tourism in the frontier regions of the state, procurement of local produce for ITBP supplies, and provision of medical services to local communities through ITBP healthcare facilities.

The Chief Minister said that to strengthen disaster management the state government would establish improved coordination with ITBP’s regional response centre. He said that helipads located in ITBP-controlled zones could be utilized to promote tourism in remote areas. All formalities in this regard would be completed in consultation with the force, which would also help enhance connectivity.

Shri. Sukhu said that the state government was taking several steps to strengthen the rural economy. If ITBP procures food products directly from local residents, it would create employment opportunities and benefit farmers and horticulturists.

He urged ITBP officials to prioritize the involvement of local residents in construction projects after completing all requisite formalities.

The Chief Minister also directed the state officials to expedite all procedures for establishing communication towers in border areas.

He lauded the developmental efforts and other initiatives undertaken by the ITBP in frontier regions.

Commander Sanjay Gunjyal briefed the Chief Minister about steps taken under the Vibrant Village Programme for the construction of three proposed roads in the Sangla Valley and Kaurik area. He also shared details of 15 additional roads proposed in remote and forward border regions of the state.

Deputy Chief Minister virtually attended the meeting and shared his views and suggestions.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Chairman, Milkfed Budhi Singh Thakur, OSD to the Chief Minister Gopal Sharma, Secretary Animal Husbandry Ritesh Chauhan, DIG ITBP Pawan KR Negi and Barinderjit Singh, Commandant Vasant Nogal and Sunil Kumar Senani and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

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Rs. 2000 crore to be spent on strengthening Agriculture and Horticulture sectors: CM
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated that the state government was committed to boost the rural economy by strengthening the agriculture and horticulture sectors. He said that an amount of Rs. 2,000 crore would be spent during the present financial year for this purpose.

He was presiding over a meeting with the senior officials of departments of Agriculture, Horticulture and other allied sectors, here today. He said that the state government was working to develop most favourable infrastructure for the processing and marketing of agricultural and horticultural produce. He said that in alignment with this vision, innovative measures were also being undertaken with a positive outlook to enhance the dairy sector.

Shri Sukhu emphasized the significant contribution of livestock in strengthening the rural economy. He said that the state government launched the 'Him Ganga Yojana' on a pilot basis in the districts of Hamirpur and Kangra. Apart from this, Milkfed had established 120 automated and 32 digital milk collection units in the districts of Mandi, Kullu and Shimla.

The Chief Minister further said that with a view to promote natural farming, the government had fixed the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of turmeric, wheat and maize produced under natural farming at Rs. 90, Rs. 60, and Rs. 40 per kilogram respectively for this financial year. The government also aims to bring one lakh new farmers under natural farming this year, and all such farmers would be linked with the ‘Him Parivar Register’.

Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar, Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi, MLA Ashish Butail, Chairman, Milkfed Bhdhi Singh Thakur, Secretary, Animal Husbandry Ritesh Chauhan, Managing Director, Milkfed Vikas Sood and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

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Govt. to evolve a mechanism to check corrupt practices pertaining to transit passes
The state government will evolve a mechanism to check corrupt practices associated with the misuse of transit passes in the transportation of minerals to prevent royalty losses and maintain the pace of developmental works in the State. These directions were given by the Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while presiding over a meeting of Industries department, here today.

The Chief Minister expressed concern over reports indicating the use of fake transit passes on multiple occasions for mineral transportation, resulting in significant royalty losses to the state exchequer. To address this, the state government had earlier introduced Rule 81A, which mandates a deduction of Rs. 80 as royalty and Rs. 20 as penalty per tonne from the Panchayats and other executing agencies undertaking developmental works, in case transit passes are not available. However, the implementation of Rule 81A is currently under stay by the High Court and the matter is scheduled for hearing on 25^th April.

In view of the situation and to ensure timely execution of developmental works, the Chief Minister instructed the Industries department to explore all possible solutions and alternates in this regard.

A delegation of representatives of PRIs also met the Chief Minister on Tuesday and urged him to address this issue.

Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, Additional Chief Secretary K.K. Pant, Advocate General, H.P. High Court Anup Rattan, Secretary Law Sharad Kumar Lagwal, Director Industries Yunus, OSD to Chief Minister Gopal Sharma and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.

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CM asks officers to uphold values of honesty and transparency in governance
A delegation of HAS officers called on Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here today. It was a courtesy call. The delegation comprised six HAS Probationers of batch 2024 and 16 promotee HAS Officers of batch-2022, 2023 and 2024, who were currently undergoing training at Dr. Manmohan Singh Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration, Shimla.

During the interaction, the Chief Minister directed all the officers to uphold the values of honesty and transparency to deliver better services to the people of the State. He said that the present State Government is committed for good governance and HAS Officers can play a vital role in this regard. He instructed them to prioritize the flagship programmes of the State Government and ensure that benefits reach the most vulnerable sections of society. He called for an end to delaying the developmental works and importance of setting clear timeline to achieve the desired targets. He also asked them to focus on incorporating technology to bring efficiency in governance.

Ayush Minister Yadvinder Goma was also present on the occasion.

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Forest department to file review petition for regularization of roads under FRA provisions: CM
The Forest department will file a review petition in the Court before 10^th May, 2025, seeking regularization of roads constructed in violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act (FCA), 1980. Chairing a high-level meeting of the Forest department, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stressed the importance of pursuing legal recourse to regularize these roads in view of the larger public interest. He directed the department to take appropriate steps in this regard.

A total of 2,183 such roads have been identified across the state, including 613 in the Shimla zone, 821 in Mandi zone, 254 in Hamirpur zone, and 495 in Kangra zone. These roads were built prior to the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 in Himachal Pradesh, which came into effect in the state in 2016. This Act aims to recognize and vest the forest rights in the forest dwelling communities, who have been residing in and dependent on forest land for at-least three generations.

Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Additional Chief Secretary K.K. Pant, Secretary Law Sharad Kumar Lagwal, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Sanjay Sood and other senior officers attended the meeting.

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PRIs representatives express gratitude for honorarium hike
CM urges people to provide support in curbing drug menace

A delegation of representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions of the State called on Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here today and expressed their gratitude for enhancing their honorarium two times during the last two years. They said that for the first time in the history of the State, the representatives of PRIs have received such significant hike in their honorarium. They also presented their various demands to the Chief Minister and he assured them to consider their demands sympathetically.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that PRIs play a vital role in the development of rural areas. Former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi ensured 33 percent reservation to women in the PRIs through the historic 73^rd and 74^th amendment in the Constitution. This landmark move has empowered women and significantly contributed to their active participation in the development of the State.

Shri Sukhu said that the present State Government is prioritizing the upliftment of the people living in the rural areas and numerous steps have been taken in this regard. The State Government was offering Rs. 90 per kg MSP to Haldi, Rs. 60 per kg and Rs. 40 per kg for the naturally grown wheat and maize respectively. He said that the State Government has enhanced MNREGA daily wages by Rs. 80 in the last two years. He said that these measures will go a long way in strengthening the rural economy.

The Chief Minister also exhorted PRIs representatives to actively support the State Government's efforts in curbing the drug menace in their areas and said that the State Government is taking stern action against the drug peddlers. He said that PRIs representatives should share information regarding drug peddlers to the authorities and saving the youth from falling prey to drug abuse.

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, MLA Vivek Sharma and other prominent persons were also present on the occasion.

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