By IANS,
Shimla : Himachal Pradesh Governor Urmila Singh’s address to the assembly Tuesday focussed mainly on providing a transparent administration, tapping more hydropower, providing a proper rehabilitation package and promoting horticulture.
“The government is committed to providing a clean, transparent and efficient administration. Quick disposal of public grievances is the government’s priority,” she said in her maiden addressto the state legislature.
On promoting horticulture, she said: “The government has strengthened horticulture activities which have resulted in an increase in the area under cultivation to 2.05 lakh hectares. Every year around 4,000 to 5,000 hectares additional area is being brought under horticulture. To enhance fruit production, improved germ-plasma of apple, pear, stone fruits and nuts are being introduced.”
The governor said establishment of mega projects like cement and hydropower projects invariably result in the local population being displaced.
“The government is quite sensitive about the welfare of oustees and the effort of the government is to ensure that resettlement and rehabilitation of the oustees is done in the most beneficial and humane manner.”
“The government is committed to harness the potential of hydropower. Out of the total available potential of about 23,000 MW, 6,480 MW has been harnessed. We hope to harness 15,000 MW of the total potential by the end of 12th Plan.”
Himachal Pradesh’s economy is highly dependent on the generation of hydropower, tourism and horticulture.