Chief Minister, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today inaugurated Rs.28.38 crore Apple and Fruit Market Solan and Terminal Mandi, Parwanoo in Solan district. A sum of Rs. 9.88 crore has been spent for the newly constructed apple and fruit market Solan under Himachal Pradesh State Agricultural Marketing Board and Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC).
He also inaugurated the up-gradation and strengthening of the approach road and parking of Terminal Mandi Parwanoo completed with an outlay of Rs 18.50 crore. The 'Arhtiya Welfare Association', Solan presented a check of Rs 11 lakh to the Chief Minister as a contribution towards the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.
Apart from this 'Uttrakhand Bhratri Mandal', Solan also presented a cheque of Rs. 51 thousand towards the CM relief fund. Sh. Sukhu while addressing the public meetings in Solan and Parwanoo on this occasion said that the state government was determined to provide better facilities to the farmers and horticulturists.
The state government is in the process of developing fruit hubs to increase fruit production according to the region-specific conditions. By adopting high density fruit plantation and micro irrigation facility efforts are underway to increase the area under horticulture in the state which will lead to an increase in the income of the growers.
He said that under the Himachal Pradesh Shiva Project, approximately 6000 hectares would be done in two phases for the development of horticulture sector in the stateto benefit 15 thousand families from this project costing Rs. 1292 crore. This project will be implemented in seven districts of the state viz: Solan, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur and Una.
He said that production of fruits like orange, guava, pomegranate, litchi, plum, persimmon, mango etc. would be promoted under this project.
The immediate relief amount has been enhanced to rupees one lakh for the people affected due to calamities, besides Rs. 3000 per kannal was being given to those whose crops have been damaged. The chief minister said that due to heavy rains this year, the state has suffered huge loss.
On one hand, the state government is providing the basic facilities while on the other hand, relief is being provided to the affected in a time bound manner. He said that an amount of Rs. 23 crore has been sanctioned for the repair of roads so that the farmers and horticulturists are helped making their produce to the markets well on time.
Special attention is being paid to repair of damaged roads in apple growing areas. Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr. (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil said on the occasion that Solan has emerged as a profitable market for apple growers and farmers of the state.
Online marketing facilities are available to the farmers and horticulturist in fruit and vegetable markets. He said that the state government was committed to upgrade Solan and Parwanoo and other marketing yards of the district.
Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister, Chandra Kumar congratulated the farmers and horticulturists for upgrading marketing facilities in Solan district. He said that with the up-gradation of the fruit markets in Solan and Parwanoo, the farmers and horticulturalists would be able to buy and sell apples and other fruits.
He said that the construction of two big auction platforms, 48 shops in Solan market and 82 new shops in Parwanoo terminal market would make business easier. Kasauli MLA, Vinod Sultanpuri while welcoming the Chief Minister at Parwanoo thanked him for formally inaugurating the Terminal Mandi. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state was successfully emerging from the disaster and the World Bank as well.
Chief Parliamentary Secretary and MLA Doon, Ram Kumar Chaudhary, Chief Parliamentary Secretary and MLA Arki, Sanjay Awasthi, Sudarshan Babloo, Mayor of Municipal Corporation Solan, Poonam Grover, Deputy Mayor Rajeev Kaura, State Congress Committee Vice Presidents, Rahul Thakur and Surinder Sethi, former Chairman APMC, Solan, Ramesh Thakur, District Congress Committee Chairman, Shiv Kumar, Chairman Baghat Bank, Arun Sharma, Chairman Jogindra Bank, Mukesh Sharma, other office bearers of Congress Party, representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions, Deputy Commissioner, Manmohan Sharma, Superintendent of Police, Gaurav Singh, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.