Una, April 15. Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Prof. Chandra Kumar attended the district level function organized in Una on Himachal Day as the chief guest. He hoisted the national flag in the premises of Government Senior Secondary School Una and addressed the people of the district after taking the salute of the march past. On this occasion, tableaus were taken out on developmental schemes and colorful cultural programs were also organized.
In his address, Prof. Chandra Kumar congratulated the people of Una district on Himachal Day and paid tribute to the sacred memories of all the great heroes who contributed to the formation and development of Himachal. He said that 8 months after independence, on April 15, 1948, Himachal came into existence as a Union Territory Chief Commissioner Province with the merger of 30 small and big princely states. He mentioned the contribution of the Congress governments that have been in power from time to time in the development story of Himachal since then till now.

Potato processing plant will be set up with 20 crores
The Agriculture Minister said that increasing the income of farmers is the priority of the state government. About 70 percent of the population of the state is directly or indirectly associated with the agriculture sector. In view of this, the government has taken decisive steps to increase agricultural production and increase the income of farmers.
A potato processing plant will be set up in Una at a cost of about 20 crores. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has made an announcement in this regard in his budget speech. He said that Una produces good amount of potatoes and the potatoes produced here are famous all over the country. The establishment of a potato processing plant here will directly benefit the local farmers as well as the potato producers of the neighboring districts. Various potato products, glucose, chips and other products will be prepared in the plant. This will not only give a new dimension to the local agriculture sector but will also strengthen the economy of the farmers.

The government will buy wheat from natural farming at MSP of Rs 60 and maize at Rs 40 per kg
The Agriculture Minister said that the government is working to change the structure of farming and animal husbandry in the state. Efforts are being made to promote such an agricultural system which will strengthen the economy of the farmers. Our effort is to encourage natural farming by reducing the use of chemicals in crops. This will also increase the inclination of young farmers towards natural farming and the state will move towards natural farming by leaving poison-free farming.
The Agriculture Minister said that the Congress government has decided that naturally grown maize will now be purchased at Rs 40 per kg instead of Rs 30 and wheat at Rs 60 per kg instead of Rs 40. This minimum support price is the highest in all the states of the country. Through this, self-employment will be promoted and new sources of income generation will be created for the youth.

Himachal is the only state in the country to give minimum support price on milk purchase
Prof. Chandra Kumar said that Himachal is the only state in the country to provide minimum support price on milk purchase. The state government has increased the minimum support price of milk by 7 to 8 rupees within two years. The government has increased the minimum support price on cow milk from Rs 45 to Rs 51 per liter and buffalo milk from Rs 55 to Rs 61 per liter. This will benefit thousands of farmers of the state associated with milk production and trade. Along with this, to develop the milk based business system, a milk processing unit is being set up in Kangra at a cost of Rs 230 crore, which will be completed within two years and dedicated to the public.

Cattle farmers benefit from cow dung purchase scheme
The Agriculture Minister said that the state government has fulfilled another promise made to the farmers and cattle rearers by starting the cow dung purchase scheme. The government has made arrangements to purchase cow dung manure from farmers at the rate of 2 and 3 kg. The work of its packaging and distribution has been entrusted to a private company. This will ensure the supply of cow dung manure in the nursery sector along with agriculture and horticulture farming.
He said that all the Mandis have been connected with online service to get better prices for the farmers' produce and for transparent marketing. The interests of the farmers are paramount for the government and no compromise will be made with them.

The Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister said that the Congress had given 10 guarantees to the people during the elections, which are being fulfilled in a phased manner. Many big and historic decisions have been taken, including restoration of the old pension. The government has also fulfilled the promise of giving financial assistance of Rs 1500 every month to eligible women by starting the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana.

6,000 destitute children given the status of Children of the State
Prof. Chandra Kumar said that after the passing of Himachal Pradesh Sukhashray Bill, 6,000 destitute children of the state have now got the status of Children of the State. Due to the sensitivity of Chief Minister Mr. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Himachal Pradesh is the first state to make such a law. He said that the government will play the role of parents of destitute children till the age of 27 years and will bear all the expenses of their education and after making them self-reliant, will also provide 3 biswa land for building a house.

Medical facilities at the doorstep of the elderly
The Agriculture Minister said that under the able leadership of Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, many corrective steps have been taken in the medical facilities being provided in the health sector, which are directly benefiting the people of the state. He said that the state government will make a policy to provide medical facilities at the doorsteps of the elderly above the age of 70 years, so that doctors will provide medical facilities by going door to door.

Modi government is being biased towards Himachal
Prof. Chandra Kumar said that the Modi government at the Centre is discriminating against the state by ignoring the interests of Himachal. He said that in the allocation of funds, Congress ruled states are being discriminated against as compared to BJP ruled states. Which is extremely dangerous for the democratic system. He said that during the BJP rule at the Centre, a dangerous trend of refusing to give the rights and share of the states has emerged which is extremely worrying.

He said that during the Congress rule in the country, there was never any discrimination against states on the basis of politics. During the UPA government, when Shri Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, the then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had generously helped Gujarat during the terrible earthquake disaster in Gujarat. But during the reign of Shri Modi, the generous character of politics was pushed back and even during the terrible disaster in Himachal, the central government withdrew its hand in helping the state.

Honoring the workers
On this occasion, the Agriculture Minister honoured the organisations, inspiring personalities and employees of various departments who have made outstanding contributions to social life. He presented a certificate of appreciation to Sunrise Education Society Una for its extraordinary contribution in the education of poor and needy children. Secretary Mahendra Pal Dogra received this certificate on behalf of the organisation.
Earlier, the Agriculture Minister paid homage to the immortal martyrs by garlanding the Martyrs Memorial located at MC March Una.

It is present
Kutlahar MLA Vivek Sharma, Chintpurni MLA Sudarshan Bablu, Himachal Pradesh SC Commission Chairman Kuldeep Dhiman, Congress District President Ranjeet Rana, State Congress Secretary Ashok Thakur, Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal, Superintendent of Police Rakesh Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mahendra Pal Gurjar, SDM Una Vishwamohan Dev Chauhan along with other officers, school children, representatives of social organizations and a large number of Una city residents were present.