In a significant decision, the Himachal Pradesh government has given its nod to an anti-hail gun and radar system in the hail-prone fruit-growing areas of the hill state.
This decision was taken by the state Cabinet, which met here.The first weather system will be set up at Khara Patthar, 80 km from here in the apple heartland of Shimla district.The system will cost Rs 3 crore initially and three anti-hail guns will be installed by the franchise of world renowned specialist company Newton Systems International USA in India, Global Aviation Consultants.
The company would make the project functional to the satisfaction of the government and the farmers, a spokesman of the state government said.
The system is likely to save fruit crops, particularly apple.The state has suffered an estimated loss of Rs 228 crore in the last financial year due to hailstorms hitting standing apple crop.
The flagship programme will benefit fruit crops which lie in the hail prone zones of the state. The Cabinet also observed that the entire issue of Bt brinjal and genetically modified seeds was a very sensitive issue and until satisfactory answers to various questions were found, the state government would not promote it.
In another decision the government also granted approval for leasing out the toll barriers under HP tolls Act to private agencies for the next financial year from the department of excise and taxation by enhancing the security amount from 1.5 per cent to 5 per cent of the total lease amount.