Latest news with #HarshwardhanChauhan
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
We thank Centre, but seek full Rs 9000 crores restoration support: Himachal Minister on Centre's disaster aid
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 18 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Industry Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan has expressed gratitude to the Central government for releasing Rs 2006.40 crore towards disaster restoration efforts following the unprecedented natural calamity that devastated the state in 2023. However, Chauhan has reiterated the demand for the full financial support of over Rs 9000 crore, which had earlier been submitted to the Centre for rebuilding critical infrastructure and livelihoods. Speaking to ANI, Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said, 'We asked the central government to sanction Rs 9,000 crore, which is still pending. However, we thank the Central Government and Home Minister Amit Shah for sanctioning Rs 2,006 Crore... We have not received the amount we had demanded or what is due, and we hope the funds are rightfully ours. After requests we received post-disaster, the Himachal government prioritised and repaired roads and the water supply scheme. Even today, many roads have been restored, albeit temporarily... We must receive some compensation, and we believe the infrastructure shortcomings will be addressed...' Earlier today, a high-level committee chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah approved Rs 2,006.40 crore in central assistance to Himachal Pradesh under its Recovery and Reconstruction plan following floods, landslides, and cloudburst incidents in 2023. The Home Minister's Office (HMO) highlighted the decision in a post on X on Wednesday, stressing that the Narendra Modi-led central government 'stands shoulder to shoulder with states' in times of natural disasters. In the financial year 2024-25, the Centre has allocated Rs 25,425.16 crore to states under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said. In 2023, Himachal Pradesh was hit by one of the worst natural disasters in its 75-year history, resulting in extensive damage to public infrastructure, housing, and livelihoods. The calamity claimed the lives of over 550 people and inflicted estimated losses of approximately Rs 10,000 crore. Entire stretches of road networks, bridges, drinking water schemes, and public buildings were swept away or rendered unusable. In the aftermath, the Himachal Pradesh government passed a resolution in the Legislative Assembly, unanimously seeking substantial financial assistance from the Union Government. A detailed proposal estimating a requirement of Rs 9000 crore was submitted to the Centre toward the end of 2023. A central assessment team had also visited the affected areas to evaluate the scale of destruction firsthand. The 2023 floods in Himachal Pradesh were triggered by intense monsoon rains that led to landslides, flash floods, and large-scale displacement of communities across districts including Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, and Solan. The state government has since been struggling to mobilize resources for rehabilitation and long-term infrastructure rebuilding. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Need for promoting handicrafts, handloom products: Himachal industries minister
Presiding over the 194th meeting of Board of Directors of Himachal Pradesh State Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation Ltd. on Tuesday, Himachal industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan directed the officers to prepare a promotional video of the handicrafts and handloom products of the state. The videos, aimed at promoting and reviving the handicrafts and handloom products, would be uploaded on social media and other networks. The minister appreciated the steps taken by the corporation for the benefit of artisans and weavers of the state and directed that the corporation's schemes and programmes must reach the maximum number of people. He said that training of this art, which is on the verge of extinction, should be conducted periodically throughout the state to preserve the heritage. He directed to explore the possibility of opening show-window-cum-sale counter in Chandigarh. The corporation is implementing the central-sponsored project, Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS), of ₹23.38 Crore, the duration of which is three years. During the year 2023-24 the corporation benefitted 420 artisans and distributed the improved toolkits to 340 artisans. During the year 2024-25, the corporation benefitted 840 artisans and weavers and distributed the improved toolkits to them. The renovation work of three emporia at Delhi, Dharamshala and Manali has been completed and the renovation work of three other emporia, two at Chamba and one at Shimla, is in progress.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan says Centre not distributing charity to Himachal
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan on Monday said that the central govt is not distributing charity to Himachal Pradesh, but the state is only getting its share, like all other 29 states of the country. Responding to the statements made by BJP MPs Anurag Thakur, Suresh Kashyap, and others that the central govt is providing sufficient funds to Himachal, the industries minister clarified that if Himachal is getting funds under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, or MGNREGA, it is the right of the state. "It is not the case that Himachal started getting these funds only when the BJP came to power in the Centre. Himachal used to get the same funds even when the previous govt was at the Centre as per the set pattern," he added. The minister, however, accused the central govt of not releasing funds to the state govt, especially around Rs 10,000 crore under the post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA), though the state govt sent the claims to the Centre in the financial year 2023-24. He claimed that the central govt is indirectly benefiting other states ruled by the BJP or its allies. Chauhan questioned the BJP leadership in Himachal about whether they got any funds or schemes sanctioned for the hill state other than what the state is getting under the existing schemes. The cabinet minister also held former chief minister and current leader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur, as well as the previous BJP govt, responsible for putting Himachal into a financial mess and a vicious cycle of loans. MSID:: 121728401 413 |
Hindustan Times
01-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Himachal: Security fee for plastic use at tourist destinations soon
The Himachal cabinet on Saturday decided to come up with a Deposit Refund Scheme 2025 as a pilot project to effectively manage and reduce non-biodegradable waste. Under this scheme, consumers will pay a refundable deposit over and above the product price which will be returned upon the return of the empty packing material, such as glass bottles, plastic beverage containers, aluminium cans, liquid packaging, flexible plastic packaging and multilayered packages. The decision regarding where and when it will be implemented will be taken later. Under the new scheme, tourists purchasing plastic or polythene-packed materials will be charged a nominal security fee, which will be refunded upon the return of the packaging. The initiative, which will be monitored via QR codes, is being implemented on a trial basis to assess its effectiveness in reducing waste generation and promoting sustainable tourism practices. Shimla produces nearly 2,800-tonne solid waste, including plastic, and Manali produces over 1,100 tonnes per month. During the tourist season, these two tourist hot spots produce 9,000 tonnes in two months. As per an estimate, 15,000 tonnes of garbage is produced per month in the state where many districts lack garbage disposal mechanism. 'The idea is to encourage tourists and vendors to take responsibility for the waste they generate. The scheme will initially be launched in high-footfall areas and will help address both waste management and pollution concerns,' said industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, while briefing the media after the cabinet meeting. Chauhan said, 'Plastic and polythene are a major challenge in our hill regions. This refundable fee mechanism is a step towards behavioural change. This will be a trial-based scheme, initially to be started at key tourist destinations. This will be based on QR code scanning. Vendors will charge a nominal fee and that will be refunded once plastic pack is submitted at collection centres,' he added. 'Every policy, especially those linked to the environment, must reflect long-term ecological responsibility,' he said. Himachal was the first state in the South East Asian region to ban coloured polythene recycled bags and also to enact law in 1995 and became the first state in India to ban the plastic and polythene carry bags in 2009. In 2011, plastic cutlery was banned. Later in 2013, with the recommendation of a committee and directions of the HC, single-use snacks' packets, wrappers and other packaging materials and also of plastic, plates besides packed materials, cups and glasses, were banned, but this was challenged in the Supreme Court. The thermocol cutlery was later banned in 2018. 500-ml plastic bottles banned The Himachal Pradesh government has banned the use of small polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles up to 500 ml from June 1. The state government has urged people to start using glass bottles, water dispensers/kiosks of steel containers, etc. Suresh Atri, chief scientific officer of the department of environmental science technology and climate change, said that if anyone violates this rule, he may have to pay a fine ranging from ₹500 to ₹25,000. 'This decision has been taken to protect the environment. Effective steps will be taken for recycling PET bottles in Himachal Pradesh,' he added.
