Himachal CM unveils Rs 584.44 billion budget 2024-25

19 Feb 2024 CW Team

It was mentioned that in the financial year 2023-24, the budget size was Rs 534.13 billion.

For the ongoing financial year 2023-24, the state government estimated a growth of 7.1 per cent, with the State Gross Domestic Product projected to be Rs 2.07 trillion. The annual per capita income was also estimated at Rs 235,199.

Sukhu, who also handles the finance portfolio, made a significant announcement, stating that his government would procure 20 quintals of naturally grown grains per family at a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 40 per kg and maize at the rate of Rs 30 per kg.

He mentioned that the government is promoting self-reliance among farmers by creating opportunities for self-employment and employment through natural farming, with 36,000 farmers already adopting natural farming.

The state government's plan includes the development of 2,500 agricultural clusters over 3 to 5 years under the 'Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Mission', focusing on promoting high-value crops. A detailed action plan will be prepared to boost the production of coarse grains in the State.

Financial assistance, with an 80% subsidy, will be provided to fish farmers for the construction of new fishing ponds covering an area of 20 hectares.

In the green energy sector, Chief Minister Sukhu, addressing the Assembly, announced that the largest 'Solar Power Project' with a capacity of 32 MW in Pekhubella will be commissioned by the end of March 2024. The 'Aghlor Solar Power Project' in Una, with an installed capacity of 10 MW, is set for commissioning by June 2024. Additionally, the Bhanjal (Una) Solar Power Project, with a capacity of 5 MW, will be dedicated to the people of the State by September 2024.

Regarding tourism infrastructure, Sukhu stated that the Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) Plan for the proposed expansion of Gaggal Airport will be finalized soon, and land acquisition work will commence.

The Congress-ruled government in Himachal Pradesh, led by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister, presented a budget of Rs 584.44 billion for the financial year 2024-25 on Saturday, with the aim of achieving self-reliance in the northern state. It was mentioned that in the financial year 2023-24, the budget size was Rs 534.13 billion. For the ongoing financial year 2023-24, the state government estimated a growth of 7.1 per cent, with the State Gross Domestic Product projected to be Rs 2.07 trillion. The annual per capita income was also estimated at Rs 235,199. Sukhu, who also handles the finance portfolio, made a significant announcement, stating that his government would procure 20 quintals of naturally grown grains per family at a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 40 per kg and maize at the rate of Rs 30 per kg. He mentioned that the government is promoting self-reliance among farmers by creating opportunities for self-employment and employment through natural farming, with 36,000 farmers already adopting natural farming. The state government's plan includes the development of 2,500 agricultural clusters over 3 to 5 years under the 'Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Mission', focusing on promoting high-value crops. A detailed action plan will be prepared to boost the production of coarse grains in the State. Financial assistance, with an 80% subsidy, will be provided to fish farmers for the construction of new fishing ponds covering an area of 20 hectares. In the green energy sector, Chief Minister Sukhu, addressing the Assembly, announced that the largest 'Solar Power Project' with a capacity of 32 MW in Pekhubella will be commissioned by the end of March 2024. The 'Aghlor Solar Power Project' in Una, with an installed capacity of 10 MW, is set for commissioning by June 2024. Additionally, the Bhanjal (Una) Solar Power Project, with a capacity of 5 MW, will be dedicated to the people of the State by September 2024. Regarding tourism infrastructure, Sukhu stated that the Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) Plan for the proposed expansion of Gaggal Airport will be finalized soon, and land acquisition work will commence.

Technology

29 Jul 2026

AI-Enabled Workflows Lift Profitability and Productivity

Organisations modernising frontline workflows with artificial intelligence, automation and real-time data are reporting stronger financial performance, higher productivity and improved employee engagement, according to a global study by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics.The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, wh..

Real Estate

29 Jul 2026

India Leads Global AI Readiness but Implementation Lags

Indian companies lead global averages across all eight artificial intelligence readiness indicators tracked by JLL, but only 19 per cent have started making changes to their workplaces, according to the JLL 2026 Future of Work Survey.The study found that 77 per cent of Indian business leaders expect AI to change their office requirements, creating a 58-percentage-point gap between awareness and implementation. The survey covered more than 2,200 CEOs, CFOs and real estate leaders across 21 countries during the first quarter of 2026.Despite concerns over automation, 58 per cent of Indian leaders..

Equipment

29 Jul 2026

Three WOLFF Cranes Build Riyadh Cable-Stayed Bridges

Three WOLFF 180 B luffing jib cranes are supporting the construction of two cable-stayed bridges alongside the existing Wadi Laban Bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and executed by the ICRC joint venture comprising IC Ictas and Al Rashid Trading & Contracting Company.The cranes are handling lifting operations including formwork, reinforcement, concrete placement, work platforms, surveying equipment and other construction materials. Each crane is fitted with a 40 m jib, reaches a hook height of 157 m and offers a maximum ..