Unpacking the Key Highlights and Implications of Himachal Pradesh Budget 2023-24: A Comprehensive Analysis
- The Himachal Pradesh government has proposed a bold and ambitious budget for 2023-24, with a total size of Rs. 53,41croresre. The budget aims to propel the state towards a sustainable and prosperous future by focusing on key areas of development.
- One of the key priorities of the budget is the development of Himachal Pradesh as a ‘Green Energy State’ by March 31, 2026. This initiative is expected to create new opportunities for the state’s burgeoning renewable energy sector, while also helping to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable development.
- In addition to this, there is a strong emphasis on tourism development, with a view to tapping into the vast potential of the state’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. The government is also committed to expanding health services using excellent technology, in order to provide better access to healthcare for all citizens.
- The budget also aims to improve the quality of education in the state, with a focus on providing better infrastructure, resources, and training for teachers. Additionally, there are plans to expand the social security net to ensure that vulnerable and marginalized sections of society are not left behind.
- The agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, and fisheries sectors are also set to receive a boost, with new opportunities being created for farmers, fishermen, and other stakeholders in these crucial areas of the state’s economy.
- To support these initiatives, the government plans to promote basic infrastructure and private investment, while also focusing on digitization and governance to ensure greater transparency and efficiency in the delivery of public services.
- In addition to all of this, the budget also aims to take care of the welfare of para workers, MGNREGS workers, small traders, and other categories of citizens, while also making efforts to generate additional resources for the state’s coffers.
- Finally, the government is committed to expanding green energy in the state, with a view to reducing its dependence on fossil fuels and promoting a cleaner and more sustainable future for all its citizens.
- Let’s have an overall detailed look at the key elements of the budget
- Expansion of Green Energy
- To develop Himachal Pradesh as a ‘Green Energy State’ by 31 March 2026.
- The Himachal Pradesh Budget for 2023-24 outlines ambitious plans to expand the state’s renewable energy capacity and promote the adoption of electric vehicles. The government aims to set up solar energy projects with a capacity of 500 MW during the fiscal year while offering a 40% subsidy to young people in the state who wish to establish solar energy projects with capacities ranging from 250 KW to 2 MW on their own or leased land.
- Furthermore, the budget also seeks to position Himachal Pradesh as a model state for electric vehicles, encouraging their use in collaboration with the public and private sectors. To this end, the government plans to develop six national and state highways as green corridors for electric vehicles in the first phase, while providing private bus and truck operators with a 50% subsidy of up to Rs. 50 lakh for purchasing e-buses and e-trucks. Additionally, private operators will also receive a 50% subsidy for establishing electric charging stations.
- The Himachal Pradesh government is taking significant steps to reduce the state’s carbon footprint by replacing diesel buses with electric buses and promoting electric scooters for students. The budget includes a provision of Rs. 1,000 crores for the phased replacement of 1,500 diesel buses of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation with e-buses. Additionally, the budget proposes a subsidy of Rs. 25,000 each to 20,000 meritorious girl students for the purchase of electric scooters.
- To further support the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy, the government is also introducing a Green Hydrogen Policy aimed at positioning Himachal Pradesh as a leading green hydrogen-based economy. Further hydropower projects with a capacity of 1,000 MW are slated for completion.
- These efforts are part of the government’s commitment to building a sustainable future for the state and promoting the use of renewable energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The budget represents a significant investment in creating a greener, healthier, and future that is more prosperous for the people of Himachal Pradesh.
- As part of its commitment to promoting sustainable development at the grassroots level, the Himachal Pradesh government has announced plans to develop two Green Panchayats in each district on a pilot basis. These Green Panchayats will serve as models for sustainable rural development and showcase the benefits of adopting green practices in agriculture, animal husbandry, and other sectors.
- Through this initiative, the government hopes to encourage the adoption of environmentally friendly practices in rural areas and promote sustainable livelihoods for rural communities. By developing these Green Panchayats, the government aims to build a more resilient and sustainable rural economy that supports the well-being of the people and protects the natural environment.
- The Himachal Pradesh government has announced a major initiative to strengthen the state’s power sector and ensure a reliable and affordable electricity supply for all. The ‘Himachal Pradesh Power Sector Development Programme’ will be launched at a cost of Rs. 2,000 crores, with support from the World Bank.
- Under this programme, the Himachal Pradesh Transmission Corporation Limited (HPTCL) will establish six Extra High Voltage (EHV) Sub-Stations, five transmission lines at a cost of Rs. crores, and a ‘Joint Control Centre’ to monitor and control the power system in real-time. The programme also includes the setting up of a ‘Centralized Cell’ for efficient management of power purchase and sale, which will help to reduce losses and improve the financial sustainability of the power sector.
- By investing in the modernization and expansion of its power infrastructure, Himachal Pradesh aims to enhance the reliability and quality of its electricity supply and promote the use of renewable energy sources. This will not only improve the lives of people by providing them with reliable access to electricity but also contribute to the state’s economic development and environmental sustainability.
- Tourism Development
- The government plans to boost the state’s transportation infrastructure by initiating the land acquisition process for the construction of airports in Mandi and Kangra.
- Additionally, heliports will be developed in all district headquarters and heli-taxi services will be launched soon from Sanjauli and Baddi. Kangra district has been designated as the “Tourism Capital” of Himachal Pradesh with plans to establish a “Golf course” that meets international standards and a “Tourist Village” that promotes local art and culture.
- The government also plans to develop old age homes for senior citizens and promote recreational activities such as ice skating, roller-skating, and water sports, including shikhar, cruise, and yacht facilities in Pong Dam.
- To boost the tourism sector, a zoo will be set up in Bankhandi at a cost of Rs. 300 crores. Moreover, Himachal Pradesh aims to promote water sports, shikara, cruise, and yacht facilities in Pong Dam, and a “Golf Course” meeting international standards will be developed. The state government will establish a “Tourist Village” to promote local art and culture. Additionally, old age homes will be developed for senior citizens, and ice skating and roller-skating rinks will be set up.
- Expansion of Health care services
- In a phased manner, all medical colleges will be equipped with robotic surgery facilities to advance medical services. Additionally, the construction of medical college buildings in Hamirpur, Nahan, and Chamba with a budget of Rs. 100 crore will be completed and made available to the public. Nursing colleges will also be established within these medical colleges.
- The casualty departments in all medical colleges will be upgraded to emergency medicine departments to provide efficient healthcare services. Moreover, one health institute in each assembly constituency will be developed as an “Adarsh Swasthaya Sansthan” to improve healthcare access for all.
- A state-of-the-art ‘Centre of Excellence’ dedicated to Cancer Care and Nuclear Medicine will be established in the Medical College Hamirpur, with an allocation of Rs.50 crore. Additionally, PET Scans will be made available in all the Medical Colleges across the state, ensuring better access to essential medical services for the citizens of Himachal Pradesh. These initiatives are a step forward in promoting the development of modern and advanced medical facilities in the state, aimed at providing quality healthcare to the people.
- To improve the quality of healthcare services in Himachal Pradesh, the state government has announced several initiatives in the budget. One of the key initiatives is the establishment of the “Himachal Pradesh Medical Services Corporation” which will be responsible for procuring quality medicines, machinery, and equipment for health institutions.
- In addition, pregnant women and children suffering from Type-l diabetes will be provided insulin pumps to protect them from serious infections. This move is aimed at improving the health outcomes of vulnerable populations in the state.
- Overall, these initiatives are expected to enhance the quality of healthcare services in Himachal Pradesh and ensure better health outcomes for the people of the state.
- Improvement in Education
- In order to provide quality education and sports facilities to the youth of the state, ‘Rajiv Gandhi Government Day-Boarding Schools’ will be established in each Assembly Constituency. These composite schools will offer education from pre-primary to class-12 and will have facilities like swimming pools. Additionally, libraries will be constructed with access to the National Digital Library and other essential books to enable the youth to prepare for various competitive exams.
- Twice a year, employment fairs and special placement drives will be held in colleges to provide more job opportunities for students.
- To enhance the quality of education and incorporate Information and Communication Technology (ICT), a library will be established in each Senior Secondary School, 10,000 meritorious students will be provided with tables, and digital hardware and software will be installed in 762 schools under the ‘ICT Scheme’, 17,510 primary regular teachers will be provided with tablets, and desks will be arranged for 40,000 children.
- The daily diet allowance for students residing in sports hostels will be increased from Rs. 120 to Rs. 240.
- The government plans to introduce a range of Value Added Courses in Technical Education, including Robotics, Block-Chain Technology, Cyber Security, Cloud Computing, Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning, Electric Vehicles Mechanic, Maintenance Mechanic, Solar Technician, Drone Technician, Mechatronics, and Internet of Things (IoTs) Technician. The aim is to provide students with advanced technical skills that are in high demand in the job market.
- In addition, the government plans to start a Drone Service Technician Course in 11 Government Industrial Training Institutes in a phased manner. Under the World Bank-funded Project STRIVE, 12 ITIs will receive improvements in infrastructure and facilities. The MERITE Project will also be implemented in four engineering colleges and eight polytechnics over the next five years.
- Moreover, the Kaushal Vikas Nigam will train 500 youths each in the Drone sector, Electric Vehicle, and Solar Energy sector, helping them acquire valuable skills and increase their employability.
- Looking forward to Social Security net
- The government has pledged to provide a monthly pension of Rs.1,500 to 2.31 lakh women, at a cost of Rs.416 crore per year, to fulfil one of its commitments.
- In addition, a new scheme called “Mukhya Mantri Sukh-Ashray Yojana” has been introduced for orphans, semi-orphans, specially abled individuals, destitute women, and the elderly. Individuals up to the age of 27 will be referred to as “Children of the State,” and the state government will provide care for them under the principle of “Sarkaar hee Mata – Sarkaar hee Pita.”
- Overall, the proposed budget for Himachal Pradesh is a bold and visionary document that seeks to create a better future for the state and its people. With its focus on sustainable development, tourism, healthcare, education, and agriculture, it represents a comprehensive and integrated approach to development that will yield positive results in the years to come.
Kumud Sharma is the First Well-Known Female Journalist of the Journalism World of Himachal Pradesh. I am the Founder, Editor in Chief, Managing Director, Promoter of Diary Times. As a Female Journalist, With My Experience of More Than Nine Years, I Tell You Every News of Himachal Pradesh From The Ground Level With Absolutely Accurate and Correct Information, Be it the Politics of Himachal Pradesh or the Ground Reality, My Perspective On Every News Will Give You Assurance. I Assure You That Every News of Mine Will Comply With the Expertise and Fact Checking Policy.
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