Shimla, March 31 The Himachal Pradesh government is set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to sell locally produced fresh vegetables, dairy products, meat, and other agricultural products to the central armed police force.
The initiative aims to provide farmers with a reliable market within their own villages, thereby enhancing income opportunities and reducing their dependence on intermediaries.
Under this arrangement, ITBP will directly source produce from farmers, cooperative societies, and local producers, a statement issued here on Tuesday said.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu held a meeting with senior ITBP officials, including Northern Frontier Commander IG Manu Maharaj and Sector Commander DIG Pawan Kumar Negi, on Monday to discuss the modalities of the proposed collaboration.
The move is expected to generate employment for farmers, horticulturists, and rural communities residing in border areas, and will also enhance farmers' income by minimising their reliance on intermediaries, the statement said.
Emphasising that the initiative would also strengthen the economy of border villages besides creating self-employment opportunities, Sukhu said the arrangement would also benefit ITBP, as they would gain assured access to fresh and locally sourced produce.
Additionally, the move is expected to support infrastructure development and enhance overall border management.
IG Manu Maharaj informed that a similar model has already been successfully implemented in Uttarakhand, delivering encouraging outcomes.
The meeting also included discussions on the electrification of Border Out Posts (BOPs) under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), aimed at improving essential infrastructure in these remote areas.