Indian defence scientists have found that temperature in the North-Western Himalayan range, spread over Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh and the source of most of Indus line rivers and their tributaries, have risen by nearly 1.4 degrees Celsius over the last 100 years.

Pratibha Chauhan

Citing legal wrangles and hurdles being faced in undertaking development works, the local Municipal Corporation (MC) has made a forceful case before the state government seeking restoration of control over urban forests, which were transferred to the Forest Department in 2006.

Himachal Pradesh has been adjudged the top state as regard the implementation of the 20-point programme in the country from April, 2008, to January, 2009.

A communication of the Government of India in this regard was received by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal here today. It said the state had exceeded targets under most of the components of the programme during the said period.

The Government of India has approved an agriculture work plan of Rs 22.22 crore for the state for the current financial year.

The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Friday decided to extend the National Health Insurance Scheme to the remaining 10 districts covering the entire State during the current financial year. The schemes provides for free insurance cover of Rs 30,000 to Rs 2,98,291 for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families and is funded by the Centre and the State in the ratio of 75:25.

Shimla: Taking a lenient view on allowing construction in green areas, the government is likely to allow raising of double-storied structures in the 17 designated greenbelts in the state capital. It will be a complete deviation from the policy of saving every inch of the precious dwindling greenery.