Over 500 horticulture employees at risk of losing jobs

Shimla: More than 500 officers and staff working under the Horticulture Development Project in Himachal Pradesh may soon lose their jobs. The World Bank was funding the project with an investment of Rs. 1,134 crore, which began in 2016 to boost horticultural activities across various districts in the state.

The employees include assistant engineers, junior engineers, draftsmen, surveyors, facilitators, technical facilitators, farm managers, assistant farm managers, management assistants, accountants, and other staff. Their roles were instrumental in advancing the state’s horticulture sector by providing technical and administrative support.

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However, with their employment contracts set to end on October 31, 2024, these workers now face uncertainty. Many of them have dedicated eight years of service to the project and have become vital to its operations. Originally hired under the Horticulture Development Society, these employees are now left uncertain about their future as the project nears its scheduled end.

The situation has created big issues for those employees and stakeholders who worry that they may be terminated. These experienced workers could hinder ongoing horticulture initiatives in Himachal Pradesh. They hope for an extension of their contracts or reassignment to other relevant roles within the department to continue contributing to the development of the state’s horticulture sector.