Page 13 - Himachal Pradesh

ONDC onboards 11 fair price shops in Himachal Pradesh in pilot initiative

The initiative is a part of ongoing efforts to modernise FPS operations and will serve as a model for statewide & nationwide adoption in the future

180 days maternity leave for female cooks, helpers in edu dept: CM Sukhu

The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to grant 180 days maternity leave to about 17,889 female cook cum helpers working in the education department under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Tuesday. Earlier, there was no such provision of maternity leave for the above category and necessary directions in this regard have been issued to the concerned department, he said in a statement issued here. Sukhu said this decision of the government, which is working for the welfare of the vulnerable sections of the society, will fulfil the long pending demands of mid day meal workers. The government is working with the aim of holistic development of the downtrodden with special focus on child care and women empowerment, he added.

HP budget to focus on improving financial condition of state: CM Sukhu

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said the Himachal Pradesh budget for fiscal year 2024-25 would be framed with a focus on prosperity and improving the financial condition of the state. The Budget session of Himachal Pradesh would be held from February 14 to 29 and the budget would be presented on February 17. The government was working with the aim of 'Vyavastha Parivartan' (change in system) and focusing on rapid improvement in the financial condition of the state, a sttement quoted Sukhu as sayin. The chief minister was speaking in the 'Chaupal' programme organised by a media house in New Delhi, according to a statement issued here. He said the Himachal Pradesh government was committed to the overall development of the state and its citizens. The Congress-led state government has implemented its poll guarantee of restoring the Old Pension Scheme for government employees, Sukhu added. The chief minister said the government aims to develop Himachal Pradesh as a tou

Anurag Thakur flags off first Aastha Special Train from Himachal to Ayodhya

Union Minister Anurag Thakur flags off first Aastha Special Train from Himachal Pradesh to Ayodhya to take pilgrims to the newly built Ram Temple

Drone Didi: IIT Mandi training women to become 'kisan drone operators'

Several women in Himachal Pradesh are receiving training to operate drones for agricultural purpose with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mandi launching "Drone Didi", a one-of-its-kind skill development programme. According to officials, the agricultural drone applications will save time and pesticide and are very cost-effective. This will also reduce the impact of pesticides on human health. Participants are being trained to leverage drone technology for enhanced agricultural practices. "Our vision is to create a paradigm shift in agricultural practices through the empowerment of women. By integrating skill development with drone technology, we are not just training women to become proficient 'kisan drone operators' but are also paving the way for them to emerge as leaders and entrepreneurs in this field. "The aim is to expand its reach, enhance technological capabilities, and continuously evolve to meet the dynamic and operational demands of agriculture and ...

MeT issues heavy snowfall alert in HP, over 4 NH among 500 roads closed

The meteorological department here on Saturday sounded an orange alert for snowfall across Himachal Pradesh for the next two days. It predicted light to moderate snowfall at most places and heavy snowfall at isolated places in mid and high hills of the state. It also cautioned of thunderstorms, lightning and hailstorm in lower areas and predicted a wet spell in the state till February 6. The state saw moderate to heavy snow in several parts on January 31 and February 1 due to which 504 roads, including four national highways, were closed for vehicular traffic, officials said. Shimla, the state's capital, saw a brief spell of snowfall on Saturday bringing cheer to residents and tourists. The city and its adjoining areas witnessed intermittent snowfall with overcast skies. According to the state emergency operation centre, a maximum of 161 roads are blocked in Shimla, 153 in Lahaul and Spiti, 76 in Kullu and 62 in Chamba district and 674 transformers and 44 water supply schemes have

HP govt administrative reshuffle: 6 HPAS, 19 IAS officers transferred

As per the notification by the Himachal Pradesh Government under Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, two HPAS were also given additional charges in the public interest

Nabard's Rs 34,490 cr scheme to boost agri, other key sectors: Himachal CM

A credit potential scheme of Rs 34,490 crore has been prepared by Nabard for agriculture, MSMEs and other priority sectors in 2024-25, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Wednesday. The scheme's allocation is 8 per cent higher than the current fiscal, he added. Inaugurating the State Credit Seminar for the financial year 2024-25 organised by Nabard, he said the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development has a major role in making Himachal Pradesh self-reliant. "I urge banks to extend their active support in providing loans for proper implementation of schemes so that farmers, horticulturists and youth can avail maximum benefits of these schemes. "As per a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report, none of the districts of the state falls in the category of 'credit deficient' districts. Although the credit flow in these districts is normal, the loan-to-deposit ratio of the state is 36.39 per cent," the chief minister said in a statement issued here. He

LS polls: Cong makes key appointments in Himachal, Jharkhand, TN, and J&K

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) appointed President for two disitricts in Himachal Pradesh and State Chairman, State Co-Chairman and State Co-Coordinator for Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir on Tuesday ahead of Lok Sabha polls.In an official statement released by the party on January 30, Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal said, "Congress President has approved the proposal of the appointment of Suman Bharti as the President of the Hamirpur District Congress Committee (DCC) and Ses Ram Azad as President of Kullu DCC with immediate effect."In another press release, K C Venugopal stated that the AICC has approved the proposal of the appointment of Chairmen, Coordinators and Co-Coordinators of Social Media Department of Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, and Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committees with immediate effect.The Jharkhand list includes Gajendra Kumar Singh as State Chairman, Nalin Mishra, Sanjay Kumar and Prashant Pandey as State Co-Coordinator and ...

India home to 718 snow leopards, Ladakh highest with 477: Report

The highest number of snow leopards were recorded in Ladakh (477), followed by Uttarakhand (124), Himachal Pradesh (51), Arunachal Pradesh (36), Sikkim (21), and Jammu and Kashmir (9)

Himachal proposes Rs 9,989.49 cr budget plan for 2024-25: CM Sukhu

The Himachal Pradesh government has proposed an annual budget plan of Rs 9,989.49 crore for 2024-25, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Monday. The chief minister presided the first session of MLA Priority meeting with the MLAs from Una, Hamirpur and Sirmaur districts. The Chief Minister said that the state government was working with a motto to make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant in the next four years and the most prosperous state in the country in 10 years. He exhorted the MLAs to come up with the priorities that were in line with the state government's commitment to provide clean, transparent and accountable administration to the people of the state. Sukhu said that the discussion during these meetings would pave the way to further accelerate the development process. "The state government is committed for equitable development of all the areas and every section of the society. In order to achieve this, the government has adopted the manifesto of the Congress party as

Himachal govt transfers 42 HPAS officers ahead of Lok Sabha elections

In a major administrative reshuffle, the Himachal Pradesh government has transferred 42 Himachal Administrative Service (HPAS) officers

SSWC&MA approves Rs 1,937 cr project proposals for industrial expansion

The State Single Window Clearance & Monitoring Authority (SSWC&MA) has approved 27 project proposals for setting up new industrial enterprises and undertaking substantial expansion of existing units with proposed investment of around Rs 1,937 crore. SSWC&MA has approved Rs 1,937 crore project proposals and employment opportunities for 2,715 people, according to a press statement issued here on Saturday. The decision was taken during the 28th meeting of the SSWC&MA, which was presided over by Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu. The new proposals approved by the Authority include proposals of Xenone Healthcare and Master Formulations CO for manufacturing of tablets, capsules and ointments. Some of the other approved proposals include that of Gowthami Aquachem for manufacturing of Sodium Chlorite, Him Deep Alkalies Chemical for manufacturing of Caustic Soda Liquid, Hydrogen and Chlorine, Agro Farm Ventures for setting up a cold store, Scottill Healthcare for ...

Eying more tourists, CM Sukhu sanctions Rs 100 crore for Shimla infra

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday sanctioned Rs 100 crore for enhancing and strengthening the infrastructure of Shimla town with an aim to increase tourist footfall and facilitate the local people. "Rs 55 crore would be spent on underground power cables in Shimla which would ensure proper ducts facilities," the chief minister said in a press note issued here. He noted that the move will help provide uninterrupted power supply to the consumers even during heavy snowfall and adverse weather in the town. Sukhu said the Himachal Pradesh government would also spend Rs 45 crore for improvement and widening of Circular Road in the state capital. He said the decongestion of the road would go a long way in facilitating the local public and tourists and ensuring smooth flow of vehicular movement. He directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to remove all the bottlenecks on this road for the convenience of the commuters. "The present state government had .

SJVN signs agreement to provide technical consultancy services to NHAI

State-owned power producer SJVN on Monday said it has signed an agreement with NHAI to provide technical consultancy services for highway projects. The agreement was signed in the presence of NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav and SJVN Director (Projects) Sushil Sharma in the national capital, SJVN said in a statement. "SJVN CMD Nand Lal Sharma has informed that SJVN has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The primary focus of this MoU is to utilise the expertise of SJVN in Technical Consultancy Services," it said. SJVN will review slope protection works at various locations, particularly on the hillside from the Parwanoo-Solan-Shimla section of NH-05, Kullu Manali Highway, and various NHAI projects located in Himachal Pradesh, the company said. Furthermore, SJVN will provide design review services, peer review services, and technical vetting of designs of NHAI and will also monitor the construction works and recommend ...

First state-of-the-art cancer hospital to be built in Hamirpur: CM Sukhu

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday said the first state-of-the-art cancer hospital will be established in Hamirpur to effectively deal with the ailment. Presiding over the 'Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar' programme at Kanjyan village under the Bhoranj assembly constituency of Hamirpur district, the chief minister said the increasing cancer cases in Himachal Pradesh is a matter of concern. "The state is witnessing an increase of 2.2 per cent of the cancer patients while the country's average rate is 0.6 per cent" he said. Talking to the media later on the sidelines of the programme, Sukhu said that the results of various examinations conducted by the dissolved Himachal Pradesh Staff Selection Commission (HPSSC) would be declared soon by the government. He said the government is also going to issue appointment letters within a month to those examinations whose results have been declared. Sukhu said the government is working towards providing employment to the yo

Gujarat, Kerala, K'taka best states in nurturing startup ecosystem: DPIIT

Gujarat and Karnataka are ranked as the 'best performers' in developing startup ecosystem for budding entrepreneurs, according to the ranking of states and Union territories by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh are also categorised as the best performers. The ranking is a yearly exercise under DPIIT that evaluates all states and Union Territories on their efforts to build an ecosystem conducive to startup growth. A total of 33 states and Union territories (UTs) participated in the exercise. They are ranked under five categories -- best performers, top performers, leaders, aspiring leaders and emerging startup ecosystems. The states and Union Territories were broadly divided into two sections based on their population size --those having more than 1 crore and the ones with less than 1 crore. Gujarat has been ranked as the best performer for the fourth time in a row. Karnataka has been ranked in this segment

HPBOSE releases Class 10th, 12th date sheet for 2024; Check schedule

The class 10 HPBOSE 2024 exams will be conducted till March 16. The timetable can be downloaded from the official website of HPBOSE (Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education) at hpbose.org

Snowless Himalayas: Why Kashmir, Himachal, Uttarakhand have no snow this winter

ACC gets full ownership of Asian Concretes for Rs 775 cr enterprise value

Asian Concretes (ACCPL) was earlier an associate company of ACC, in which it already held a 45 per cent stake. ACC had first invested in Asian Concretes in 2010 for an undisclosed value