Una, March 14 (Paigam-E-Jagat):- Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi today (Saturday) distributed checks totaling ?75 lakhs to 59 eligible disaster-affected families from the Una Assembly constituency at the Circuit House in Una.
Speaking on the occasion, Jagat Singh Negi stated that the state government stands firmly with the public during every moment of crisis. He noted that the government has formulated a special relief package to provide immediate assistance to those affected by natural calamities, ensuring that needy families receive timely financial support during times of distress and do not have to face any undue hardships.
Furthermore, the state government's objective is to ensure that relief reaches every disaster-affected family swiftly, thereby assisting them in returning to a normal life. He gave an assurance that, whenever the need arises in the future, the government will continue to provide every possible assistance to the affected families.
Mr. Negi highlighted that the current state government has made its disaster relief policy even more people-centric by implementing a historic increase in the relief compensation provided to families whose homes have been completely destroyed in a disaster. Previously, this assistance amount stood at merely ?1.5 lakhs; it has now been raised to ?7 lakhs to ensure that disaster-affected families do not have to grapple with financial difficulties.
*Himachal: The First State to Provide Social Security*
Mr. Negi proudly stated that, under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Himachal has become the first state in the country to enact a law granting state protection to 6,000 orphaned children. For those who have no one else, the government is stepping in to fulfill the role of their parents.
He explained that the government is acting as the guardian for destitute children up to the age of 27, bearing the entire cost of their education. Additionally, provisions have been made to provide them with a plot of land (measuring 3 biswas) for constructing a house once they have become self-reliant. This initiative not only demonstrates the government's sensitivity toward society but also marks a significant step toward establishing Himachal as a model state.
*HP SHIVA Project Gives New Boost to Horticulture; Implementation Underway at 14 Locations*
Jagat Singh Negi stated that, with the objective of promoting horticulture within the state and ensuring an increase in farmers' income, special initiatives are being undertaken in Lower Himachal under the HP SHIVA Project. In this context, the HP SHIVA Project is being effectively implemented across 14 different locations in Una district, thereby bolstering efforts to strengthen the economic well-being of horticulturists.
He explained that, through this project, the production of various fruits—including guava, litchi, pomegranate, Malta orange, sweet lime (Mosambi), and dragon fruit—is being encouraged within the district. The government is providing farmers with saplings of improved varieties of these fruits. Additionally, modern amenities such as fencing for the protection and better management of orchards, plant protection measures, and drip irrigation systems for water management are also being provided.
Mr. Negi noted that horticultural activities are witnessing a new expansion in Una district. Furthermore, farmers are gaining opportunities to earn additional income through horticulture alongside their traditional farming practices, thereby contributing significantly to the strengthening of their economic status.
*Citizens Now Accessing Online Revenue Services*
The Revenue Minister stated that, with the aim of providing simple, transparent, and accessible revenue services to common citizens, the state government has integrated various services of the Revenue Department onto online platforms. The objective of this initiative is to deliver superior and efficient services to the public in a shorter timeframe, thereby eliminating the need for them to make repeated visits to government offices.
He further informed that the government has established clear timelines for the disposal of tasks falling under revenue services. Accordingly, a target has been set to resolve matters related to land partition (Taksim) and demarcation (Nishandehi) within nine months, ensuring that citizens receive time-bound services. The Minister stated that, in addition to this, the residents of the state are also benefiting from the facility of obtaining various certificates through online channels. He added that the State Government is continuously working towards making revenue services more effective through digital mediums, with the aim of ensuring prompt, transparent, and reliable services for the general public.
Present on this occasion were Kuldeep Dhiman, Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Castes Commission; Satpal Singh Raizada, former MLA from Una; Deshraj Gautam, District Congress President; Jatin Lal, Deputy Commissioner of Una; and Advocate Anuj Dhiman, among others.