HP Budget Session 2024: Budget session of Assembly begins, Governor said – Himachal will become the first green energy state of the country.
Governor's address - Photo: Diary Times
- HP Budget Session Live: Budget session of the Assembly started with the Governor’s address, 13 meetings will be held.
The budget session of Himachal Pradesh Assembly started on Wednesday morning with the address of Governor Shivpratap Shukla. The 13-day session will conclude on February 29.
State government gave 801 crores for Bhanupalli-Barry rail line
The government is also committed to developing the railway network in the state. A 63 km long project costing Rs 6753 crore 42 lakh is in progress to connect Bhanupalli (Punjab) to Bilaspur and Bari. This project is being developed jointly by the Government of Himachal Pradesh and the Ministry of Railways in the cost ratio of 25:75. So far Rs 801 crore has been released as the state’s share, of which Rs 115 crore 99 lakh has been released during the current financial year. Except a few stretches till Bilaspur, the rest of the land has been handed over to the Railways. The work of this railway line till Bilaspur is expected to be completed by March 2027. More than Rs 1540 crore is being spent on the 31 km long railway line connecting Chandigarh and Baddi.
Five new heliports ready in the state, facility will be available in district headquarters also
The Governor said that tourism sector is an important source of employment and self-employment for the youth. Through this, along with promoting revenue generating activities, emphasis is also being laid on the development of world class tourism infrastructure. Kangra district is being developed as a tourism capital by the government, where Rs 3,000 crore will be spent on the development of tourism infrastructure. Apart from this, new tourism activities such as modern golf courses, zoos, tourist areas, wellness tourism and eco tourism are also being developed. Construction of five new heliports Kangnidhar, Sase Manali, Baddi and Sanjauli and Rampur has been completed in the state. Final inspection by DGCA is being done for their operating license. Apart from all the district headquarters, new heliports are being developed at Jaskot Hamirpur, Rakkad and Palampur (Kangra), Sultanpur (Chamba), Aloo Ground Manali, Sharbo (Kinnaur), Jispa, Sissu and Rangrik (Lahaul-Spiti). Two new permanent flights Kullu-Amritsar and Shimla-Amritsar have also been started. Letter of Intent has been received for three new helicopter routes Reckong Peo, Kullu and Rakkad (Kangra), this service will be started after the formalities are completed. Additionally, one way side facility on Kiratpur-Manali fourlane at Auhar (Bilaspur) and a new hotel complex at Nadaun are being developed.
Relief amount in special relief package 5 to 20 times more
The relief amount under the special relief package issued by the government is 5 to 20 times more than the norms issued by the Central Government, which is the first effort of its kind in the entire country. Under the special relief package, the compensation for those whose houses have been completely destroyed by this disaster will be increased from Rs 1.30 lakh to Rs 7 lakh, for partially damaged kutcha houses it will be increased from Rs 4 thousand to Rs 1 lakh, for partially damaged pucca houses will be increased from Rs. It has been increased from Rs 6 thousand to Rs 1 lakh and all other relief items have also been increased. The government provided free gas connections to the affected families. Apart from this, 20 kg flour, 15 kg rice, 2 liter oil, 1 kg salt and 2 kg sugar are being provided every month to the disaster affected families.
4121 children will get benefit under Chief Minister Sukhashray Yojana
The state government started Mukhyamantri Sukh Ashray Yojana for comprehensive care of orphan children and children in special care and protection. The state government, while fulfilling its parental duty, is fulfilling the needs of these children and encouraging and supporting them at every stage of life. 4121 children of the state have been declared eligible under this scheme and Rs 7 crore 65 lakh 43 thousand have been spent on them.
Mahila Samman Nidhi Scheme implemented
The Governor said that to implement one of the important guarantees of the government, a new scheme Indira Gandhi Mahila Samman Nidhi Yojana has been implemented. In the first phase, an amount of Rs 1,500 per month will be given to 2.43 lakh women including eligible women of district Lahaul-Spiti and eligible pensioners of the entire state, old women, widows, abandoned women, single women and disabled women. At present, pension is being given to 7 lakh 83 thousand 719 beneficiaries under social security pension. For this, a total provision of Rs 1,256 crore 43 lakh has been made in the current financial year. In the current financial year, 41 thousand 799 new beneficiaries have been added under this scheme. Simplifying the current process of social security pension, the mandatory conditions of income limit and Gram Sabha’s recommendation have been completely relaxed for eligible widows, deserters, single women and disabled people. The incentive amount for widow remarriage has been increased from Rs 65 thousand to Rs 2 lakh.
19 village models will be developed under Eco Village Scheme
To promote the use of solar energy in the agriculture sector, 197 solar pumps have been installed so far this year. The government is emphasizing on setting up roof top solar plants and connecting them to the electricity grid. Funds have been provided to various institutions for research and development projects in the field of environment and climate change. 19 villages are being developed under the Model Eco Village Scheme. 112 kilometers of roads in the state have also been constructed from plastic waste.
Solar energy is also being encouraged, self-employment opportunities will also be created.
For this purpose, solar energy is also being encouraged. Before today, solar energy meant installing solar street lights at some places or distributing solar lanterns. My government has changed this system on the basis of future demand. Applications have been invited to set up solar energy projects of capacity ranging from 250 kilowatt to five megawatt in the state. So far, solar projects of approximately 252 MW capacity have been allotted to 247 applicants. Of these, formalities of 93 MW projects are being completed which will be installed by the end of this year. This will also create self-employment opportunities and pave the way for adopting green energy production as a successful economic option.
Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Scheme 2023 implemented
The Governor said that the government has implemented Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Scheme 2023 with the aim of providing self-employment opportunities to the youth and encouraging entrepreneurship. Under this scheme, the Transport Department has implemented the e-taxi scheme. Under the scheme, 50 percent subsidy will be given on purchasing e-taxi. These e-taxis will also be taken on contract by government departments for at least four years. The department has received applications from one thousand 222 unemployed youth under this scheme.
Electric vehicle charging stations will be built, six green corridors are being developed.
The Governor said that the government has initiated work on a large scale to make electric vehicles the first choice for transportation in the state. Six green corridors are being developed in the state. 106 public places have been identified for setting up a wide network of electric vehicle charging stations. At present, one can travel by electric vehicles on Parwanoo to Nurpur, Shimla to Dharamshala and Kiratpur to Keylong corridor. Electric vehicle charging facility will soon be provided on other three corridors also. Due to the operation of electric vehicles, the department has saved lakhs of rupees in maintenance and diesel-petrol expenses in the last one year. Besides, the state has moved ahead on the path of becoming a green state.
Aim to make Himachal the first green energy state of the country
In his address the Governor said that the government has successfully completed one year of system change. Today the whole world is struggling with the circumstances arising due to climate change. It is clear that the concept of economic development that developed with the Industrial Revolution in the nineteenth century requires fundamental change. Every government will have to initiate this change. My government has taken positive steps in this regard and has set a target of making Himachal the first green energy state of the country by the year 2026. To achieve this goal, a new system is being created for which policy decisions have been taken and work has been started in a phased manner.
Assembly received 793 questions, 13 meetings will be held
The Assembly has received 793 questions for the session. There are 582 starred and 209 unstarred questions. The information received through questions is mainly related to the poor condition of roads, DPR of sanctioned roads, upgradation of colleges, schools, health institutions etc. in the state and vacant posts in various departments. Members have also highlighted the main issues related to their respective constituencies through questions. 578 questions are starred i.e. 489 online and 89 offline. 207 questions are unstarred, out of which 164 are online and 43 are offline, which have been sent to the government for further action as per rules. There will be 13 meetings in the session. The Governor’s address will be discussed on 15 and 16 February. On February 17, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu will present the budget estimates for the financial year 2024-2025. The budget that the CM will present on 17th will be discussed for four days. The budget will be passed on 29th.
Budget of Rs 56 thousand crore may be presented
This time CM can present a budget of about Rs 56 thousand crores. Like last time, this budget can be a green budget. The government may pay special attention to solar energy. The budget is likely to have a special focus on farmers. Schemes related to employees, women, youth, elderly, destitute people etc. can also get a special place in the budget.
HP Budget Session Live: Budget session of the Assembly started with the Governor’s address, 13 meetings will be held
The budget session of Himachal Pradesh Assembly began at 11:00 am on Wednesday with the address of Governor Shivpratap Shukla. After this, condolence proposals are to be presented. In this, there will be mourning on the death of Simmi Agnihotri, wife of former assembly member and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri. On the second day, the session will start with question hour at 11 am. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu will present the budget on February 17. There are chances of uproar the next day.
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