Agriculture being the mainstay of the hill state, the state has finalised the details of the scheme in view of uncertain weather in Himachal through the year. To boost the agricultural production, farmers were being provided fertilizers, seeds, insecticides, pesticides, agricultural implements on subsidised rates from this year.

The chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, Prem Kumar Dhumal, who was here in Chandigarh in connection with his first "Meet the Press" at Chandigarh Press Club said the diverse climate of the state was very congenial for growing all type of fruits to supplement the horticulture activities, the Support Price under Market Intervention scheme has been raised by 25 paise per kg for all type of fruits covered under this scheme. Horticulture was being diversified by encouraging production of alltype of cirtrus fruits in the hill state.

The state has made a provision of Rs 2 crores for setting up of Hops palletisation plants in tribal areas during current year. He disclosed that the state was expecting a bumper crop of apples this season may be an increase of 30 to 40 per cent in total production. Apple being the major fruit crop, the bumper crop was bound to help improve the economy of the state.

Industrial development was being given big boost with special emphasis to set up eco and environment friendly industries. The Centre has agreed a tax holiday for industrial units in the Himachal Pradesh upto year 2000. Agriculture, horticulture and local raw material based indusdtries would be encouraged in the state to benefit local people.

Dhumal informed that the Himachal Pradesh government had ''forcefully''urged the Centre to allow it impose tax on hydel power generation in the state to help the state generate its own financial resources.

He said that the state had also urged the Centre toallow it to impose cess under the water(prevention and control of pollution) Cess Act,1977. He said that the Centre had recently given assistance of Rs 300 crore to over-come its dwindling financial position inherited from the congress government and also for development of infrastructure.The state needs much more,he added.