THE NEWS FREEDOM
SHIMLA, FEBRUARY 17
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, on Saturday announced significant measures during the state’s budget presentation, including hikes in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cow and buffalo milk. Cow milk’s MSP was increased from Rs 38 to Rs 45 per litre, while buffalo milk saw a raise from Rs 38 to Rs 55 per litre. Additionally, CM Sukhu raised the daily wages of MGNREGA workers from Rs 240 to Rs 300 per day.
The Chief Minister announced the release of a 4 percent Dearness Allowance installment for employees starting April 1, 2024, resulting in a financial burden of Rs 580 crore. Additionally, daily wages have been increased from Rs 375 to Rs 400, outsource employees will receive minimum wages of Rs 12,000.
Furthermore, the MLA Local Area Development Fund has been raised from Rs 2.10 crore to Rs 2.20 crore. The current MLA priorities limit has been increased from Rs 175 crore to Rs 195 crore, and the MLA Discretionary Grant has been raised from Rs 13 to 14 lakh in each assembly segment.
He also introduced the Rajiv Gandhi Prakriyat Kheti Yojna, aiming to train 36,000 farmers in natural farming techniques. The CM emphasized initiatives such as introducing universal cartons for apple packaging and promoting horticulture tourism, reiterating the state’s commitment to becoming a green state by 2026. Furthermore, Sukhu highlighted a special relief package of Rs 4,500 crore for disaster-affected individuals following last year’s monsoon, criticizing the lack of assistance from the central government.
आपदा में किसान चिंचिंत थे, वो सोच रहे थे कि उनके सेब मंडियों तक कैसे पहुंचेंगे। तब हमने फैसला किया कि हम किसानों के एक भी सेब को सड़ने नहीं देंगे। रातों-रात हमारे मंत्री, विधायक और अधिकारी सब काम पर लग गए। हमारी सरकार की दृढ़ इच्छाशक्ति से सारे सेब बिना किसी रुकावट के मंडियों तक… pic.twitter.com/RyNLrGA8NW
— Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (@SukhuSukhvinder) February 17, 2024
— Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (@SukhuSukhvinder) February 17, 2024
Key Announcements from Himachal Pradesh Budget 2024-25
- Daily wages of MGNREGA workers increased by Rs 60, from Rs 240 to Rs 300 per day.
- Establishment of vehicle scrapping centers in Himachal Pradesh announced.
- Replacement of 327 old diesel buses with electrical vehicles scheduled for 2024-25.
- Construction of 860 km of new roads and introduction of a new startup policy in Himachal Pradesh.
- First modernized de-addiction and rehabilitation center to be established at Kandaghat in Solan district.
- Allocation of Rs 582 crore for the agriculture sector and Rs 300 crore for the horticulture sector by CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
- Appointment of 6,000 nursery teachers in the state, with monthly reviews.
- Hike in MSP for cow milk from Rs 38 to Rs 45 and buffalo milk from Rs 38 to Rs 55 per litre, effective April 1.
- Introduction of the Rajiv Gandhi Prakriyat Kheti Yojana to train 36,000 farmers in natural farming techniques.
- Establishment of a transformation cell in Himachal Pradesh, as announced by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
- Announcement of a special relief package of Rs 4,500 crore for individuals affected by last year’s monsoon, with no assistance from the Centre.
- Increase in honorariums for panchayati raj and urban local bodies members, including Zila Parishad members, Panchayat Samiti members, and Municipal Corporation officials.
- Construction of a 3.2 km ropeway at Bijli Mahadev in Kullu and a survey to convert the Kalka-Shimla and Jogindernagar railway line into a broad gauge.
Read the complete speech of Himachal Chief Minister on budget Himchal CM Budget speech