Horticulture project to be restructured

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 23

The Rs1,134-cr HP Horticulture Development Project being funded by the International Development Association will be restructured as per the recommendation of the World Bank, which will be finalised in December later this year.

Replying to a written query by Jagat Singh Negi, the horticulture minister informed that the project was being funded by the International Development Association. The share of the HP government was Rs 223.16 crore.

About 13.48 lakh plant material has been imported under the project for establishment of Budwood orchards, demonstration orchards, rootstock stool beds and for distribution to the farmers. Till date, 1,19,784 number of imported plants have been distributed among the farmers.

Replying to a query by Rakesh Pathania on solar fencing to protect crops against stray animal menace, Agriculture Minister Ram Lal Markanday said 34 companies had been empanelled in 2018 and 14 this year to undertake the job. “There is a provision to impose 20 per cent penalty against the erring companies and out of 27 works given to them 21 were still pending,” he said. Lakhwinder Rana said despite money being deposited by farmers in his segment of Nalagarh, solar fencing had not been put.