In the state budget for 2025, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Sukhu outlined a number of important initiatives aimed at strengthening the state’s agricultural sector, promoting tourism, and managing its financial challenges.
One of the major announcements in the budget was a price increase for cow and buffalo milk, aimed at benefiting dairy farmers in the state.The price of cow milk will rise from Rs 45 to Rs 51 per litre, while buffalo milk will increase from Rs 55 to Rs 61 per litre. The move comes as part of a broader effort to support the agricultural community, with the government striving to provide fair compensation for milk producers.
Another key focus area in the budget was the promotion of religious tourism. The first-time CM noted the government’s commitment to exploring lesser-known religious and cultural destinations within the state, hoping to boost the influx of both domestic and international visitors.
Here are the highlights from the Himchal Pradesh Budget 2025:
- Hike in price of cow milk from Rs 45 to Rs 51 per litre, Buffalo milk from Rs 55 to Rs 61/litre.
- Around 70% of loan taken by state govt was spent on repayment of loan, taken by previous govt, interest component: CM Sukhu.
- Aim to bring 1 lakh farmers under Natural farming in FY26, about 1.58 lakh farmers have taken to natural farming.
- Farmers growing kachi haldi (raw turmeric) naturally to get Minimum Support Price of Rs 90/kg.
- Daily wage of workers in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act increased from Rs 300 to Rs 320/day.
- Focus is on promoting religious tourism and exploring lesser-known tourist destinations: CM Sukhvinder Sukhu.
- Govt to set up Spice Park in Hamirpur, to develop tea estates as eco-tourism destinations.
- Separate directorates for school and colleges to be constituted.
- Formation of a Special Task Force (STF) to combat drug abuse in the state.
- Purchase of 500 electric buses in 2025-26 and commencement of the Shimla Ropeway project.
- Announcement of schemes for agriculturists, women, disabled, and children.
- Increase in state debt liability to Rs 1,04,729 crore, with 70% of recent loans spent on repaying previous government’s debt.
- Addressing financial challenges due to reduced revenue deficit grant and stopped GST compensation.
Source: DAirynews7x7 March 18th 2025 ET