State Govt. implementing vision of Rajiv Gandhi :CM

· Pays tributes to former Prime Minister on his death anniversary

SHIMLA -21^st May, 2025-Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary here today. He garlanded the statue of Rajiv Gandhi at Sadbhawana Chowk Chhota Shimla.

Interacting media, the Chief Minister said that the present state government was committed to realizing the vision of former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi in the state to uplift the weaker and marginal sections of the society. Recalling his immense contributions, he said that Rajiv Gandhi laid his life for the unity and integrity of the country and laid the groundwork for several transforming initiatives that propelled progress and prosperity of the Nation. He said that Rajiv Gandhi laid a strong foundation for the information technology revolution in the country which was yielding positive outcomes for the present generation and made a provision for 33 percent reservation for women in the Panchayati Raj Institutions by amending the Constitution.

Sh. Sukhu said that the present state government has introduced Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School Yojna in the state to improve the standards of education. He said that in each assembly constituency these schools were being established with modern facilities and other infrastructure to benefit the students residing in the rural areas of the State. He said that the state government was also implementing Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-Up Yojna under which youths would be provided loans to start their avocations. Under the Scheme, unemployed youth were also being offered 50 percent subsidy for purchase of e-taxis.

The Chief Minister also administered a pledge of national unity and integration of the country.

Later, he also paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi at H.P. Secretariat and administered the oath of Anti-Terrorism day to the officers and officials on the occasion.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, PCC Chief Pratibha Singh, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, PWD Minister Vikramditya Singh, Chairman, H.P. Tourism Development Corporation R.S. Bali, Mayor, Shimla Municipal Corporation Surender Chauhan, Deputy Mayor, Uma Kaushal, MLA Vivek Sharma, Vice Chairman, State Forest Development Corporation Kehar Singh Khachi, Chairman, H.P. State Cooperative Bank Devender Shyam, Chairman, Kangra Central Cooperative Bank Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Principal Advisor Media to Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan, Vice Chairman, HIMUDA Yashwant Chhajta, former MLA Satpal Raizada and other dignitaries also paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister.

Impose at least 100 percent import duty on Turkey apple, CM writes to PM

· CM to raise matter with PM during upcoming Delhi visit

SHIMLA-21^st May, 2025Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to increase the import duty on apples from 50 percent to at least 100 percent to discourage the import of apples from Turkey and to safeguard the interests of the apple growers of Himachal Pradesh. He also urged that quantitative restrictions should also be imposed on imported apples.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh is known as 'Apple Bowl' of the country and is famous for producing delicious varieties of apple. The apple is prime cash crop of the State and generates an income of about Rs. 4500 crore annually. He said that about 10 lakhs mandays are generated due to apple crop, thereby providing direct and indirect employment to more than 2.50 lakh families.

Shri Sukhu stated that at present apples are being imported from nearly 31 countries and about 5.19 lakh metric tonne of fresh apples was imported during the year 2024, an increase of 500 time as compared to 1100 metric tonne imported during the year 1998. He said that the import share from Turkey was increased during the year 2020 and recorded highest increase with 1.29 lakh metric tonne during the 2023. He said that substantial import of 1.17 lakh metric tonne was done from Turkey during 2024 which is 23 percent of the total apple import.

The Chief Minister said that apples from Turkey have been flooding the Indian markets in the recent years, which has posed a great threat to the apple growers of the country. The influx of apples from Turkey has not only undermined the competitiveness of local apple producers but also jeopardizes the livelihoods of small and marginal apple growers of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.

Shri Sukhu said that he would also personally take up the issue for enhancing the import duty on apples being procured from Turkey with the Prime Minister during his upcoming visit to Delhi.

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CM mourns death of Agniveer Naveen Kumar

SHIMLA-21^st May, 2025Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has expressed deep grief over the death of Agniveer Naveen Kumar in an unfortunate incident of a landslide in Kargil area of Jammu Kashmir on Tuesday. He belonged to Thural area of Sulah assembly constituency in Kangra district.

The Chief Minister prayed to the Almighty to give peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family members.

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Revenue Minister directs to accelerate implementation of FRA

SHIMLA,21^st May, 2025Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi today here chaired a review meeting regarding the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006. He said that the Forest Rights Act received presidential consent in 2006 and came into effect from 1^st January, 2008.

The Minister said that under FRA 2006, land rights would be granted to Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers, who have been residing primarily on forest land for at least three generations prior to 13^th December, 2005 and are dependent on forest resources for their livelihood needs.

Shri Negi directed officials to expedite work related to FRA implementation. He said that the performance of all officers and employees involved in FRA work, from panchayat secretary level to district committees would be reflected in their annual confidential reports (ACRs). He further instructed that accountability of patwaris and kanungos be clearly defined under the Service Guarantee Act.

Revenue Minister also reviewed disaster relief matters and issued necessary instructions to the officials.

Special Secretary Revenue DC Rana and senior officers of Tribal Development department were present in the meeting where as DC Kullu Torul Raveesh, DC Bilaspur Rahul Kumar and other senior officer from various districts attended the meeting virtually.

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Office bearers of Horticulture Services Association call on Horticulture Minister

SHIMLA ,21^st May, 2025The office bearers of the Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Services Association called on Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi here today.

During the meeting, President of the Association Dr. Ranjan Sharma presented various demands related to salaries and recruitment to vacant posts. The Horticulture Minister assured the Association members that the state government would consider their genuine demands sympathetically.

Jagat Singh Negi said that horticulture officers who have received training abroad would be deployed in the field so that farmers and horticulturists can benefit from their knowledge and expertise. This initiative would further strengthen Himachal Pradesh's identity as a "Fruit State" and boost the income of horticulturists.

Secretary Horticulture C. Paulrasu, Director Vinay Singh, Project Director HP SHIVA Devender Thakur and other senior officers of the department were present on the occasion.