A master plan would be prepared for the beautification of the premises of Baba Balak Nath, Mata Shri Chintpurni, Shree Naina Devi and Maa Jwalaji Temples to facilitate the devotees by providing them with world-class facilities, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Monday.
Chairing a review meeting of the Art, Language and Culture Department, he stated that this will also encourage religious tourism as well. He said that from the next financial year, 'District level Festivals' would be organized in all the districts. At least one cultural evening will be reserved for local artists in these fairs and festivals. A provision would be made to spend 33 percent of the total expenditure on local artists. He also asked to fix the honorarium of the artists and rationalize the honorarium.
Sukhu said that 107 fairs have been notified by the State Government, which includes four international level, five national level, 29 state level and 69 district-level fairs. In the financial year 2024-25, the state government has provided an assistance grant of Rs 1.10 crore for organizing these fairs. He said that the work of setting up a digital museum at Bantony Castle in Shimla will be completed this year and directed to develop the 'International Roerich Memorial Trust' from the tourism point of view. He also did a detailed review of the schemes being implemented by the department.
Seven solar projects of 72 MW to be allotted soon: CM
The State Government was trying to harness green energy on a large scale and tenders have been invited for setting up seven solar power projects of a total capacity of 72 MW, which are being evaluated, chief minister Sukhu said in a statement. He said that their work would be allotted to the companies concerned this month and apart from this, survey and investigation of 8 projects of 325 MW is going on. "For the first time the government was moving towards developing 200 panchayats of the state as 'Green Panchayats' in which 200 KV ground mounted solar plants would be installed and the income from them would be spent on the development works of the Panchayat," he added.
Chief Minister said that in the solar energy sector, the 32 MW Pekhubela Solar Power Project in Una district was dedicated to the public on 15 April, 2024 and in the six and a half month period from April to October 2024, 34.19 million units of electricity have been generated through this project, generating an income of Rs 10.16 crore. He said that apart from this, a 5 MW solar power project at Bhanjal in Una district has been started on 30 November, 2024 while the construction work of 10 MW Aghlaur Solar Power Project is also expected to be completed this month.
Sukhu said that the present State Government is taking several steps towards making Himachal Pradesh the country's first 'Green Energy' by 2026 so that there is no damage to the environment of the state. He said that while harnessing green energy will help in environmental conservation, carbon emissions will also be reduced. He said that green energy sources are renewable and do not get exhausted, which ensures availability of energy to future generations and plays an important role in reducing the ill-effects of climate change. He said that apart from this, a draft DPR of two tonnes per day capacity plant of compressed Biogas has been prepared. Apart from this, grid connected roof top solar plants and water heating systems will be installed in the State's Bal and Balika Ashrams, Vridha Ashrams and Rajiv Gandhi Model Day-Boarding Schools.
