HP guv bats for separate Union ministry for hill states

SHIMLA: Ministers of as many as 10 Himalayan states on Friday emphasised that they needed to work together to resolve the problems they faced on a daily basis during a conclave of Himalayan states organised by the HP Council for Science Technology and Environment here.

Over 60 delegates from Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram and J&K, including ministers, two chief ministers, officials and experts attended the conclave.

HP governor Acharya Devvrat, who was the chief guest on the occasion, suggested that a separate ministry should be formed at the centre to resolve the common issues of the Himalayan states as issues and challenges of Himalayan region were totally different from the plain areas.

He said for the first time, efforts were being made towards contemplation and solution on this serious topic, for which Union agriculture minister deserved appreciation.

He expressed concern over the fact that various departments and organisations were promoting chemical farming.

Minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju said, “We are going to draw some guidelines for ourselves for we cannot develop our regions haphazardly just for our need.”

HP CM Jai Ram Thakur said joint issues of the Himalayan states will be considered and brought to the Centre’s notice.

Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat said it was important that the contribution of Himalayan agriculture, tourism and hydro-power to the development of the country was appreciated.

A recommendation made at the Sustainable Mountain Development Summit at Shoolini University to set up a farmers’ income commission was presented at the conclave.

Other recommendations included a mechanism for compensating farmers for ecosystem services, provision for green cess and green bonds.