Jagat Singh Negi inaugurates Litchi plantation program at HP Shiva Cluster Dhanyara
Minister of Revenue, Horticulture, Tribal Development, and Public Grievance Prevention, Jagat Singh Negi, launched the Litchi Plantation Campaign under the HP Shiva Project at Dhanyara Panchayat in the Sadar Assembly Constituency today. Over 13,000 litchi plants will be planted across 17 hectares in this cluster, benefiting 65 families.
The Horticulture Minister highlighted that the Shiva Project will bolster the state’s economy. He urged the cluster gardens to remain vigilant and actively participate to ensure the project’s success. Upon completion, more than 15,000 gardeners are expected to join the project. The project, funded by the Asian Development Bank, involves an expenditure of ₹1,398 crore and is being implemented in seven districts of the state.
Negi also mentioned that the state government has not received additional relief from the central government for last year’s severe flooding. The state has spent ₹4,500 crore from its resources on disaster relief, including ₹7 lakh for each destroyed house. Approximately ₹400 crore was spent on construction in Mandi district, with a similar amount being spent this year.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to equitable development across the state. He criticized the previous government for misallocating resources, such as constructing 16 helipads and numerous rest houses in the Saraj assembly constituency, which are now unused. He noted that the previous administration left the state with a debt of ₹75,000 crore, while the current government is focused on resource development.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Sanjeev Guleria, President of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee; Champa Thakur, General Secretary of the State Congress Committee and District Council Member; Kamlesh Kumari, District Council Member; Yogesh Patyal, President of the Block Congress Committee; Ramlal Sharma, General Secretary of the District Congress Committee; Chaman Lal Thakur, Head of Gram Panchayat Dhanyara; Ravindra Palsara, Block Sevadal President; Laxman Das, Senior Vice President; Jodh Singh, Executive President; Asim Sood, SDM Kotli; Vidya Prakash Bains, Joint Director of Horticulture Madhya Kshetra; Dr. Devendra Singh Thakur, Deputy Director of HP Shiva; and ASP Sagar Chand, among others.