Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, October 28
Amid political debate over the simplification of Section 118, Himachal Pradesh Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi has rejected opposition claims of any amendments to the law. He clarified that no changes are being made and that the law cannot be altered without approval from the state assembly. Speaking to reporters in Shimla, Negi accused Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur of making misleading statements for political reasons. “The only amendment made earlier was to exempt religious institutions from the Selling Act, and the opposition had supported it at the time,” he said.
Negi stated that no one in the state is currently homeless. After the recent monsoon disaster, the government has provided housing support and financial assistance to affected families. Those whose homes were destroyed or damaged are receiving ₹5,000 per month as rent support and ₹4 lakh as the first installment of compensation. Chief Minister will distribute cheques at a special relief event in Mandi and Kullu on 1 November. On the issue of encroachment on forest land, Negi said there is no legal provision to grant exemptions.
Responding to the opposition’s allegation over apples being stored along roadsides, Negi said that the state-run HPMC procured more than 100,000 metric tonnes of apples this season. Temporary roadside storage occurred due to road closures, but no produce was dumped into drains. A committee led by SDMs decided to destroy rotten apples and use juice-worthy produce for processing.
