Mahender Singh Thakur Jal Shakti Vibhag, Horticulture and Sainik Welfare Minister, Himachal Pradesh has welcomed the Union Budget 2020-21 presented by Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Finance Minister on 1st February, 2020 and called it a visionary budget addressing short term as well as long term needs and goals for the inclusive economic development of the country and a step forward for fulfilling the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by doubling farmers' income by 2022.He said that the Union Budget has put special emphasis on horticulture sector with the vision of 'One District One Product' by following a cluster approach and also strengthening of the market and export facilities. The budget addresses various requirements of the farming sector of the country and ensures a better farming avenues and returns in future. The State Horticulture Department has already started various schemes and programmes for welfare of farmers to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural and unemployed youth of the State.He further added that Himachal Pradesh is already working in this direction by following a cluster approach under two externally aided projects namely-Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Development Project (HPHDP) and Himachal Pradesh Subtropical Horticulture, Irrigation and value addition Project (HPSHIVA).
HPHDP is focusing on apple crop which is already well established product of the State. Under HPSHIVA, other districts are also being developed on the lines of 'One District One Product' for subtropical fruits like sweet orange, guava, pomegranate etc. and promoting value addition and marketing linkages for these products.He specially thanked the Finance Minister for emphasising on the new path breaking programme launched by the Government of India for providing tapped water in each household. He said that it is heartening to know that under the Jal Jeevan Mission has taken care of all the concerns raised by the State in including higher cost norms as well as allowing 90:10 allocations for Himachal Pradesh being the special category State. He assured the Jal Shakti Minister, Government of India that Himachal Pradesh will achieve double the targets laid down by the Government of India by 31st March, 2020 and will complete the target of hundred per cent tap coverage by 2022 instead of 2024.The Minister also thanked the Finance Minister for launching the National Infrastructure Fund for promoting infrastructure investment in the country. Jal Shakti Vibhag of the State Government has already posed projects worth 500 crores under National Infrastructure Fund which are under consideration with Government of India.