Shimla: Himachal Governor Acharya Devvrat has geared up for his campaign for generating awareness towards various social causes in the interest of the society, and today convened meeting with officials of state government at Rajbhavan.
The agenda included checking drug abuse and problem of untouchability, promotion of organic agriculture and cow rearing, environment protection, cleanliness campaign and tourism development.
The Governor said that quarterly meetings would be held to monitor the progress and asked the officers of the concerned departments to send monthly reports regarding the action taken. He said that separate committees would be constituted for all the issues for effective implementation. He said that he would hold meetings with state, district and block level officers as well as citizens to associate all sections of the society in the social cause.
He said that there was a need to promote zero-budgeting for the welfare of farmers in the state and requested the Agriculture and Horticulture Universities to hold awareness camps with experts to educate the farmers regarding the same. He said the organic food was healthy and nutritious and only healthy citizens make a healthy nation. The organic farming should be promoted in the state in a big way to strengthen the economy of farmers which was beneficial for soil as well.
He also stressed upon cow rearing especially developing indigenous cow breeds whose milk had been proven best in researches conducted by the experts. The universities should conduct effective research for strengthening organic farming, hold camps for farmers and acquaint them about traditional farming practices, preserving indigenous seeds and producing organic manure from cow dung etc.
The Governor stressed upon launching aggressive campaigns against drugs, educating people about cleanliness and eradicating social evils like untouchability. He said that unless all sections of society participated in the campaign, the society would witness no change. The children could be appropriate ambassadors to spread the message across the society as they were future citizens and could be sensitized easily as they had willingness to learn.
Acharya Devvrat said that Himachal Pradesh had been blessed with immense beauty and a concrete plan should be made for tourism promotion with special focus on cleanliness which was extremely essential for preserving the beauty of tourist places. He suggested plans for beautification of lakes, introducing boating and other facilities, developing tourist destinations in remote and unexplored areas with suitable facilities of hotels, good food, improved road network and added that friendly and cordial behaviour with the tourists could build a good image of the state.
He said that he would also hold meetings with teachers and students at district and block levels to make them aware about the campaigns so that the message could be spread across the remotest corners of the state.
Additional Chief Secretary Upma Choudhry informed about the steps being taken by the state government for strengthening the farming sector. She said eight crore rupees would be spent under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna in the state which would go a long way in supporting the farmers engaged in the traditional farming.
Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Nanda said that efforts were being made to educate people regarding cleanliness and schemes were in the pipeline for effective waste management.
Director Urban Development J.M Pathania informed that latest technology was being explored to keep the state clean and underground dustbins would be introduced soon at Sundernagar, Paonta Sahib and Dharamshala towns on pilot basis.
DGP Sanjay Kumar also briefed about the activities of the department regarding the agenda especially steps being taken to check drug abuse.
Additional Chief Secretaries, Heads of Departments, representatives of various NGOs attended the meeting.
