In brief: HP seeks central support for FPOs

HP’s urban development minister Suresh Bhardwaj met Union home minister Amit Shah and urged him to extend the scope of coverage of central schemes of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) as cooperative societies

HP’s urban development minister Suresh Bhardwaj met the Union home minister, Amit Shah, on Tuesday and urged him to extend the scope of coverage of central schemes of Farmer Produce Organisation (FPO) as cooperative societies in the Himachal irrespective of whether they have been covered under ICDP or not.

Union home minister Amit Shah with HP urban development minister Suresh Bhardwaj in New Delhi on Tuesday. (HT Photo)

The minister said Himachal is formulating a policy to promote FPOs in cooperative sectors in the state. The minister apprised the Union minister of Himachal’s target of registering 100 FPOs in one year and reaching out to a minimum 10, 000 farmers through them. He said the FPOs in the cooperative sector will strengthen the post-harvest management infrastructure in the state.

He also requested to earmark funds for training of management committee members as distinguished from the training of secretaries.

Shimla HP Congress leaders on Tuesday met the state governor and pressed for a judicial probe into the death of SC leader Paras Ram Negi. The Congress leaders also staged a silent protest on The Ridge in Shimla. Negi and his wife were reportedly attacked by nearly 15 persons on August 26. Negi had later succumbed to his injuries.