From the Editor’s Desk
Section 118 Hurdle
There is immediate furore to save the state as soon as Jai Ram government hints at removing Section 118 it for ease of doing business. Some people immediately link it with Himachal’s pride on the pattern of Article 370 of Jammu & Kashmir. Our farm sector could have flourished or employment opportunities generated through horticulture, had Section 118 ensured state’s progress. We need to understand land utility if farm employment is decreasing. Nobody ever thinks about scores of trucks transporting wheat straw from other states to this hilly state. Himachal will suffer immensely if supply of milk, milk products and vegetables is stopped even for a day. One should look at the number of stray cattle loitering across the state. The state had granted nautor land to landless but they sold the same. How much agriculture was practiced after land was divided under land Tenancy Act? Section 118 was responsible for emergence of land mafia in Himachal. The state’s youths are getting employment in other states and return to the place after carving a niche. Three MLAs representing Jogindernagar, Sujanpur and Dehra are testimony to the fact that they flourished while working in other parts of the country. There are numerous areas in major towns that are known as mini Himachal. Where does Section 118 stands if thousands of Himachalis look for livelihood in other states? Every aspect of Himachal is dependent upon labourers from other states. Development works will come to a standstill if migrant labourers don’t come here. There is an outside investor for generating employment in private sector in this hilly state. Dhumal government’s announcement to grant Himachali bonafide to industrialist raised many eyebrows. Industrialists should invest here and provide seventy percent employment to Himachalis. Such a section doesn’t augur well for the progress. What will happen if other states also send Himachalis back home?
Thought of the Week
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
-Mahatma Gandhi
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