New Delhi: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called on Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Space and Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh on his maiden visit to the national capital after assuming office on Tuesday.
“During the meeting, Sukhu sought central support and assistance in multiple sectors, especially horticulture and agriculture, aroma mission and lavender entrepreneurship to make these sectors beneficial for livelihood, start-ups and people of the state of Himachal Pradesh," said the Ministry of Science and Technology through a release.
CM Sukhu, who is on a visit to Delhi, advocated including the Chamba district under the 'Aroma Mission' for the cultivation of lavender plants and to provide technological support to the farmers for the same.
According to the release, the Union Minister assured all possible central assistance in technological advancement in every sector of the state.
"The possibilities to create avenues for promoting agri-tech start-ups and replicate successful practices such as Lavender cultivation of Jammu were also discussed during the meeting," the release stated.
Keeping in view the vulnerability of the state to earthquakes, CM Sukhu urged Singh to set up weather observatories in the state and advocated for a high-tech seismic laboratory-cum-data analysis centre.
Singh said that the mountainous states like Himachal Pradesh, which are full of natural resources, are not getting enough technological exposure to utilize their full potential. “Full technological support, be it in the field of weather predictions through dopplers, providing weather alerts to farmers through SMSes or promoting Agri-Tech start-ups amongst the youth of the state will be provided."
The union minister added that there is a need to promote futuristic technology amongst youth of Himachal Pradesh so that they can take full advantage of the scientific revolution going on in the country. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always advocated extensive use of science and technology in various spheres of life to extract maximum benefit of the technology."
Singh further stated that being a milk-rich state, dairy start-ups should be promoted in Himachal Pradesh. He also suggested engaging youth in start-ups in the state and said that more and more women should form Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to create more employment opportunities within the state.
CM Sukhu expressed his concern over the problem of cloudburst in the state as it causes a lot of damage to crops and forests. Giving assurance to the chief minter, Singh said that 100 per cent weather accuracy through radars is possible which can help take preventive measures in such a scenario.