HP to develop natural habitats to check monkey menace: Dhumal

Hamirpur, Feb 18 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today said two natural parks would be developed at Palampur and Shimla to resettle monkeys and prevent loss to agricultural produce of the farmers of the state.

Addressing a meeting organised by district party here, he said monkeys would be kept in these two natural parks to minimise losses to the agricultural produce of the farmers, many of whom had even abandoned farming activities due to the primate attacks.

Mr Dhumal said since monkeys, along with other wild animals, had caused huge losses to the farmers of the state, the Forest Department had been advised to come with a suitable plan to develop the parks.

Referring to the shortage of fertilizers in the state, he said after he raised the issue with the Centre, Himachal Pradesh was provided with 7,500 million tonne of fertilizers to increase agriculture yield.

He said top priority was being accorded to the farm sector, which had the potential to provide self-employment avenues to a large number of rural youth.

Besides, vacancies in government departments would be carried out in a transparent manner by the competent recruiting agencies of the state, he added.

Referring to the party's decision to encourage women's participation in political and development spheres, the Chief Minister said his government had decided to provide 50 per cent reservation to women in Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies.

He directed the government officials to accord top priority to the grievances of the public and initiate administrative steps to provide relief to them.

Observing that the BJP's manifesto had been adopted as the government's policy document, he said all promises made in the elections would be fulfilled in letter and spirit.

Mr Dhumal lauded the role of grassroot workers in ensuring the party's victory in the recently concluded Assembly elections and said they should also be prepared to ensure victory in the Parliamentary elections a few months ago.

Party state president Jai Ram Thakur, Education Minister I D Dhiman, Hamirpur district president Baldev Sharma besides several others were also present on the occasion.

UNI AS JN SBC BD1827