रिडकमार में 715 बीपीएल परिवारों से विधायक केवल सिंह पठानिया ने किया संवाद
सरकारी कल्याणकारी योजनाओं की जानकारी के लिए बनेगा बीपीएल परिवारों का व्हाट्सऐप ग्रुप
शाहपुर, 19 अगस्त। शाहपुर विधानसभा क्षेत्र के धारकंडी क्षेत्र की पंचायतों के बीपीएल सर्वे में चिह्नित 715 परिवारों के सदस्यों के साथ मंगलवार को रिडकमार में शाहपुर के विधायक एवं उपमुख्य सचेतक केवल सिंह पठानिया ने संवाद किया।
इस अवसर पर विधायक ने कहा कि बीपीएल परिवारों का एक व्हाट्सऐप ग्रुप बनाया जाएगा, जिसमें प्रदेश सरकार की इन परिवारों से संबंधित सभी कल्याणकारी योजनाओं एवं कार्यक्रमों की जानकारी साझा की जाएगी। इससे पात्र लाभार्थियों को समय पर योजनाओं की जानकारी मिलेगी और वे उनका लाभ उठा सकेंगे।
उन्होंने पंचायत प्रतिनिधियों से भी आह्वान किया कि वे अपने-अपने वार्डों में गरीब एवं जरूरतमंद परिवारों को सरकार की कल्याणकारी योजनाओं की जानकारी दें, ताकि योजनाओं का लाभ सही मायनों में पात्र लोगों तक पहुंच सके।
उन्होंने कहा कि बीपीएल परिवारों के लिए आने वाले समय में मुख्यमंत्री द्वारा कई महत्वपूर्ण निर्णय लिए जाएंगे, जिससे इन परिवारों को अपने परिवार का बेहतर ढंग से पालन-पोषण करने में सहायता मिलेगी।
विधायक ने कहा कि प्रदेश सरकार ने आपदा राहत में ऐतिहासिक वृद्धि की है। अब आपदा के दौरान पूर्णतया क्षतिग्रस्त मकान के मालिक को 7.50 लाख रुपये तथा घर के सामान के लिए 1 लाख रुपये की अतिरिक्त सहायता प्रदान की जा रही है।
उन्होंने कहा कि धारकंडी क्षेत्र में विभिन्न विकास कार्य प्रगति पर हैं और उन्हें शीघ्र पूरा किया जाएगा। साथ ही स्वास्थ्य सुविधाओं को भी सुदृढ़ किया जा रहा है, ताकि लोगों को घर के नजदीक बेहतर स्वास्थ्य सुविधाएं उपलब्ध हो सकें।
इस अवसर पर विधायक ने गत दिनों बोह में आई आपदा के दौरान सराहनीय कार्य करने वाले अधिकारियों, कर्मचारियों एवं पंचायत प्रतिनिधियों को प्रशस्ति पत्र देकर सम्मानित किया।
सूचना एवं जनसंपर्क विभाग से एफिलिएटेड कलाकारों ने गीत-संगीत के माध्यम से प्रदेश सरकार की विभिन्न कल्याणकारी योजनाओं एवं कार्यक्रमों की जानकारी भी लोगों तक पहुंचाई।
एसडीएम शाहपुर गणेश ठाकुर ने कहा कि इस प्रकार के संवाद कार्यक्रम पूरे विधानसभा क्षेत्र में आयोजित किए जा रहे हैं। अधिकांश पंचायतों के चिह्नित बीपीएल परिवारों से संवाद किया जा चुका है। उन्होंने कहा कि लोगों द्वारा दिए गए प्रार्थना पत्रों को विधायक के माध्यम से प्रदेश सरकार तक भेजा जाएगा।
इस दौरान जिला परिषद सदस्य संदीप, पंचायत प्रतिनिधि ओमराज, निर्मल सिंह, अक्षय अत्री सहित अन्य लोगों ने भी अपने सुझाव रखे।
इस अवसर पर कंजर्वेटर फॉरेस्ट बासु कौशल, एटीसी शाहपुर की प्रभारी डॉ. सुनंदा पठानिया, डीएफओ अमित शर्मा,बीएमओ शाहपुर डॉ. कविता ठाकुर, डीएम फॉरेस्ट कॉरपोरेशन अमरीश शर्मा, अधिशासी अभियंता जलशक्ति अमित डोगरा, सहायक अभियंता लोक निर्माण नीरज गर्ग, सहायक अभियंता जलशक्ति रज्जाक मोहम्मद, सीडीपीओ रैत निर्मला देवी, रेंज ऑफिसर सुमित शर्मा, उपमुख्य सचेतक के सलाहकार विनय,विभिन्न पंचायतों के प्रधान-उपप्रधान नीलम, हुक्मी देवी, सुनीता, हंसराज, जगतनाथ, पवन, सुरेश, कैप्टन जगदीश, उत्तम, कमलेश, विपिन, पप्पू, अजय बबली, पूर्व जिप सदस्य रीतिका, शशी पाल, राजेन्द्र, विभिन्न पंचायतों के वार्ड सदस्य, बीपीएल परिवारों के सदस्य एवं अन्य गणमान्य नागरिक उपस्थित रहे।
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Dragon Fruit Cultivation Gains Momentum in Kangra; Progressive Farmer Demonstrates Natural Farming and Value Addition
Kangra Himachal Pradesh: 19.08.26-The Department of Horticulture, Kangra, is encouraging farmers to adopt high-value fruit crops and explore value-addition opportunities to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance farm income. Dragon fruit cultivation is emerging as a promising option in the district, with progressive farmer Sh. Jeevan Singh Rana, retired lecturer, and his son Sh. Ashish Singh Rana successfully establishing and propagating the crop through natural farming practices.
Sh. Jeevan Singh Rana and his son initially propagated around 500 dragon fruit plants and have now expanded cultivation to approximately 5,000 plants across 35 kanal of their farm. Their efforts have earned recognition as progressive farmers promoting dragon fruit cultivation through natural farming practices.
Sh. Ashish Singh Rana, son of Sh. Jeevan Singh Rana, was honoured with the “Utkrisht Kisan Samman” for his remarkable success in natural farming of dragon fruit during the 41st Foundation Day celebration of Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan.
Technical Guidance and Establishment of Registered Nursery
During the development and expansion of dragon fruit cultivation, Sh. Rana received technical guidance and field support from Dr. Kamal Sheel Negi, Joint Director of Horticulture, Kangra, who regularly visited the farm and provided technical advice on dragon fruit cultivation, and nursery management.
With the guidance of the Department of Horticulture, Sh. Rana has also established a 1st Registered Dragon Fruit Nursery under the Department of Horticulture, during 2023 bearing Licence No. GLRFN01542-N.
Sh. Jeevan Singh Rana expressed his sincere gratitude to the Department of Horticulture for its continued technical guidance and support in promoting dragon fruit cultivation and propagation.
Dr. Kamal Sheel Negi, Joint Director of Horticulture, stated that several farmers have now established dragon fruit nurseries under the Himachal Pradesh Fruit Nurseries Registration and Regulation Act, 2015. Farmers in the Development Blocks of Fatehpur, Nurpur, Dehra, Indora and Sulah, as well as farmers in Una district, have also established new dragon fruit orchards.
He further informed that farmers can avail themselves of 50% subsidy for the cultivation of cost-intensive crops such as dragon fruit, Avacado, Blueberry, kiwi and strawberry under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
For further information regarding the schemes, technical guidance and assistance, farmers may contact their concerned Subject Matter Specialist (Horticulture), Horticulture Development Officer (HDO) or Horticulture Extension Officer (HEO).
Focus on Value Addition to Reduce Post-Harvest Losses
While good-quality dragon fruits are sold in the market, farmers often face difficulties in marketing undersized, surplus and unsold fruits. To address this issue, the Department of Horticulture is encouraging farmers to utilize such produce for processing and value addition rather than allowing it to go to waste.
Dr. Suresh Kumar Negi, Subject Matter Specialist (Horticulture), Fruit Canning Unit (FCU), Nagrota Bagwan, stated that the Department of Horticulture provides processing facilities to farmers under Community Canning Services. The department charges only nominal processing service charges of approximately ₹50–₹65 per kg, depending on the product and processing requirements.
These facilities enable farmers to convert surplus, undersized and otherwise difficult-to-market fruits into value-added products, thereby improving utilization, reducing post-harvest losses and creating additional income opportunities.
Dragon Fruit Jam Prepared at FCU Nagrota Bagwan
Sh. Jeevan Singh Rana approached the Joint Director of Horticulture, Kangra, regarding the difficulties being faced in marketing undersized and unsold dragon fruits. He was advised to utilize the processing facilities available at the Fruit Canning Unit, Nagrota Bagwan, for preparation of dragon fruit jam.
Subsequently, Sh. Rana contacted Dr. Suresh Kumar Negi, Subject Matter Specialist, FCU Nagrota Bagwan, who provided technical guidance and assistance in the preparation of dragon fruit jam.
According to the Department of Horticulture, this is the first time dragon fruit jam has been prepared at the Fruit Canning Unit, Nagrota Bagwan, marking an important step towards promoting processing and value addition of this emerging high-value fruit crop in Himachal Pradesh.
Using dragon fruits produced through natural farming practices, Sh. Jeevan Singh Rana prepared approximately 23 kg of dragon fruit jam and expressed satisfaction with its quality and taste.
Sh. Rana expressed happiness over the availability of departmental processing facilities for farmers and said that such initiatives would be particularly useful in utilizing small-sized, surplus and unsold fruits. He stated that processing and value addition can provide farmers with an alternative avenue for marketing their produce while reducing wastage.
He expressed his gratitude to Dr. Kamal Sheel Negi, Joint Director of Horticulture, and Dr. Suresh Kumar Negi, Subject Matter Specialist, FCU Nagrota Bagwan, for their valuable technical guidance and assistance.
Sh. Rana also expressed his gratitude to the Government of Himachal Pradesh, particularly Sh. Jagat Singh Negi, Horticulture Minister, as well as the Secretary (Horticulture) and Director of Horticulture, for promoting farmer-oriented initiatives and strengthening facilities for processing and value addition.
Department Encourages Farmers to Adopt Value Addition
The Department of Horticulture, Kangra, emphasized that farmers should make maximum use of available departmental processing facilities to convert surplus, undersized and difficult-to-market fruits into value-added products.
Such initiatives can contribute significantly towards reducing post-harvest losses, improving farm income, diversifying agricultural activities, creating employment opportunities and encouraging the cultivation of high-value fruit crops in Himachal Pradesh.
The Department further reiterated its commitment to providing technical guidance and facilitating farmer-oriented interventions in cultivation, propagation, processing and value addition so that farmers can derive greater economic benefits from emerging fruit crops such as dragon fruit.