Context:

• The state government of Himachal Pradesh has announced various measures to put the state on higher economic growth pedestal, while taking into account the available resources, manpower and the region’s distinct ecology.

Key Points:

• State Government has announced that it will set up a department of nuclear medicine in one of the medical colleges of the state so that facility of radiation therapy could be provided to cancer patients saving their time and resources. 
• In this regard, the concerned officials have further underlined that the need of the hour is to adopt modern scientific methodology of farming instead of practising traditional methods. In this regard, he urged for providing technological support for undertaking these activities.
• Underlining the absence of resources with the state government, the state is looking forward to centre’s assistance in achievement of its ambitious targets. Taking active steps in the direction, the state government has held deliberations with the Union Ministry of State, Science & Technology, Space and Atomic Energy regarding strengthening of agriculture, horticulture and health sector by adopting modern techniques and by making the best use of science and technology.
• In this regard, the state has also requested providing support to the officers of the horticulture and agriculture departments of the state besides organising orientation programmes for them, so as to enable them to be more familiar with new innovative technology.  Further, the state government has also requested the Union government to get organised training for the farmers and horticulturists to make them acquainted with the new techniques. These new techniques will help farmer and horticulturalists in improving the quality of their produce.
• Further, the state government has pushed its case with the centre government for including Chamba district under 'Aroma Mission' for cultivation of Lavender plants and to provide technological support to the farmers for the same. Keeping in view the vulnerability of the state to earthquakes, the state government has requested for establishing a high-tech seismic laboratory cum data analysis centre in Kangra and Hamirpur seismic zone.