Addressing a press conference here, the minister said the horticulture and agriculture sector in the state had suffered massive losses as a result of the continuously changing weather, and cold weather conditions.
He added that cold weather conditions continuing even during May in the state were adversely affecting fruit crop. “In many places, continuous hailstorm and bad weather conditions during the flowering stage led to damages for orchardists,” he said. Negi added that, while the state government provided compensation in this regard, the assistance was very limited.
He said the state government had repeatedly urged the Centre to connect more orchardists with the weather-based crop insurance scheme.
“There are around 3,50,000 orchardists in Himachal Pradesh, but fewer than 75,000 have availed the benefits of crop insurance. Growers who had insured their crops received good compensation for damages,” he said.
Negi added that, during the natural disasters of 2023 and 2025, the state government, despite financial difficulties, provided disaster-hit people, including orchardists, with assistance several times higher than the relief received from the Centre.
“However, it may not be possible to provide such a level of relief every time,” the minister said. Talking about the upcoming Panchayati Raj Institution, Urban Local Body and Municipal Corporation elections, he said the Congress was strong, and campaigning was yet to gain full momentum.
“Jurisdictions of the government and Panchayati Raj Institutions are different, and the responsibilities of all institutions are defined in the Constitution. These bodies function within their respective domains, while the responsibilities of the state government are separate,” Negi said. He added that overall development was the main issue in the elections, exhorting all institutions to work according to their powers and available budget.
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