Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur inaugurated the second Silk Seed Production Center of the state at Thunag in Seraj Assembly constituency in district Mandi to meet the need of silk seed production in Himachal Pradesh and to strengthen the economy of sericulture farmers. The Chief Minister inaugurated the Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (HPBOCWWB) sub-office at Thunag.
While addressing a large gathering at Thunag, the Chief Minister said that 12 thousand farmers of the state were involved in sericulture. To meet the requirement of 7500 ounces of silk for the state, 2500 ounces of silk was being produced by Palampur, the first Silk Seed Production Center of the state and the remaining 5000 ounces of silk would now be met by the Thunag Silk Seed Production Center which will help in the production of silk, which was earlier being imported.
He said that the construction work of Silk Entrepreneurship Development and Innovation Center at Bali Chowki with an expenditure of Rs. 4.94 crore was about to be completed, which is the first centre in northern India.
He said that the construction work of Government Silk Center at Bagachanaugi, Saroa, Dharot, Murah, Deem-Kataru was nearing completion with the cost of Rs 2.5 crore to promote silk industry in Seraj Valley. He said that Rs. 1.5 lakh per farmer would be provided to 200 farmers of scheduled caste category for construction of silkworm rearing house.
Besides this, Rs 80 lakh has been provided to 200 farmers for silkworm rearing equipments and Rs 28 lakh was being provided for mulberry plantation to 200 farmers of scheduled castes. Besides this, Rs 50 lakh has been provided to 700 farmers of general category for mulberry plantation and purchase of silkworm rearing material. He said that these activities would give boost to the silk industry in the state besides generating self-employment opportunities.
Chief Minister also inaugurated the 84th branch of HDFC Bank in Himachal Pradesh at Thunag. He said that with the opening of this branch, door-to-door loan facility would be available to small and marginal farmers.
The benefits of various government schemes are directly transferred into the account of the beneficiaries.
