Chamba, December 10
The world bank has approved a flagship project based on social forestry with an outlay of Rs 540 crore for Himachal Pradesh, which would be put into operation by the forest management with the active participation of the people.

This was announced by state Forest Minister Ram Lal Thakur while inaugurating the four-day 10th state-level-sport-championship of the Forest Department here yesterday.

The Minister said the project would be executed in the sub-mountain terrains of the state.

He said according to a “satellite survey”, the green cover had increased significantly, adding that though the afforestation was the top priority of the government, yet the forest rights of the local residents could not be overlooked.

He, however, emphasised that the conservation of forests could not be possible unless the residents of the area cooperated.

“Neither the ecological balance can be maintained nor the green revolution can be achieved without water management and forestry”, the Minister said.

Acknowledging the fact that with the notification of wildlife sanctuaries the development was affected on the fringe of sanctuaries, Mr Thakur came clean that in the light of directives of the Supreme Court and the Forest Conservation Act, no development was possible in and around the sanctuaries.

He however, said that the state government would submit a new proposal to the Union Government considering the difficulties and needs of the public inhabiting on the fringe of sanctuaries.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Harsh Mahajan, Housing and Animal Husbandry Minister, urged Mr Thakur to convene a high-level meeting for re-demarcation of wildlife sanctuaries so that roads like the Chamba-Pathankot highway could be widened.

Mr Thakur also released a “vision” of the Forest Department for bringing radical reforms in the development and conservation of forests.

As many as 500 players of 11 forest circles of the state are taking part in different sports events of the four-day tournament being played here.

Shimla, December 10
While the need for setting up maize-based industry to ensure remunerative returns to farmers has been felt for quite some time, a study conducted by the National Bank for Rural and Agriculture Development (NABARD) has revealed that the hill state had scope for at least three large wet milling plants and 80 dry processing units.

Maize is a major crop in rainfed areas and the state produces about 7 lakh tonnes of it every year. While half of it is consumed by farmers, a surplus of 3 lakh tonnes is available for processing. The study has indicated that it could be processed into a variety of products like grits, germ, flour ad corn flakes by dry milling on the small scale and such units can be set up anywhere in the state as technology for the purpose is available. Since the state has a huge surplus of maize, large-sized units can be set up to manufacture value-added products like starch.

As per the study wet milling plants can be set up at Baddi, Takarla in Una, Bhambla and Balh in Mandi and Mataur in Kangra district. There is potential for setting up of three wet milling units with a maize-crushing capacity of 100 tonnes per day. Besides, 80 small dry milling units can be set up.

The project cost for setting up of a wet milling plant will be Rs 14.31 crores. As such a total investment of Rs 45 crore will be required for three wet units and dry units. The wet milling units of a 100-tonne capacity will be economically viably as well as bankable and achieve breakeven at 40 per cent of the capacity utilisation in the very first year of operation.

Dr J.C. Rana, Director of Agriculture, said there was urgent need for maize-based industry in the state in view of a rising surplus.

The government, Dr Rana said, was extending all concessions and benefits to agro-based industries that were available to other industrial units. The Department of Agriculture along with the Industries Department and NABARD will enter into contracts with potential entrepreneurs to develop maize as a industrial crop. This would evable farmers to get remunerative returns.

Shimla, December 10
Ruling out a complete revamp of the Pradesh Congress Committee, new party chief Kuldeep Kumar said today that if required some new office-bearers could be appointed with the approval of the high command. Addressing a press conference here, he said the process of organisational election was already under way and his top priority was to ensure a free and fair election and complete transparency.

The high command has appointed Mr K.C. Lenka Pradesh Returning Officer for the election. He would hold a meeting of senior party leaders, legislators and district presidents here on Sunday.

Referring to frontal organisations, he said the issue of replacing Mr Sukhwinder Singh, state Youth Congress President, who had completed his term, was under consideration. Only high command would take a decision on the issue.

Mr Kuldeep Kumar warned partymen against taking party matter to the Press and said it would be considered as an act of indiscipline. He was not aware of the involvement of partymen in the ongoing vilification campaign against the Chief Parliamentary Secretary, he said, adding that action would be taken if any insider was found involved in it.

Mr Kuldeep Kumar appointed poll observers for all districts. Mr Gulzar Bharti will be the observer for Bilaspur, Mr Kashmir Singh for Hamirpur, Mr Ajay Bahadur for Shimla (rural), Mr Pratap Chauhan for Kulu, Mr Laiq Ram for Sirmaur, Mr Ranbir Rana for Mandi, Mr Devinder Shyam for Una, Mr D.D. Thakur for Lahaul and Spiti, Mr Kewal Pathania for Shimla (urban), Mr Ajay Mahajan for Chamba, Mr Sagar Chand Nayar for Kangra, and Mr Nain Singh Tomar for Solan.

Shimla, December 10
The Himachal Pradesh Government today posted Mr K.J.B.V. Subramanyam, on his return from the deputation, as Divisional Commissioner, Mandi, vice Mr K.S. Narang, who goes as Managing Director of Himachal Pradesh General Industries Corporation, Shimla, relieving Mr T.D. Negi of this additional charge.

Mr Desh Deepak, Managing Director, Minorities Finance & Development Corporation, Shimla, has been posted as Divisional Commissioner, Kangra, at Dharamsala, relieving Mr V.C. Pharka of the additional charge.

Mr J.S. Rana takes over as the Managing Director, HP Minorities Finance and Development Corporation.

Mr Nirmal Singh Suman, Additional Director (Consolidation of Holdings), Shimla, has been posted as the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, at Dharamsala.

Case registered
Our Correspondent

Solan, December 10
Ms Nanki Devi (35) has alleged that her husband, Vijay Kumar, and mother-in-law, are harassing her to bring Rs 10,000 from her parents. A case has been registered on a complaint of the woman.