I. Budget 2025-26 & Fiscal Highlights

  • CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presented the HP Budget for 2025-26 on March 17, with a total outlay of ₹58,514 crore. 1
  • The fiscal deficit for 2025-26 is projected at ₹10,338 crore, which is 4.04% of the GSDP. 1
  • Revenue receipts for 2025-26 are estimated at ₹42,343 crore, with revenue expenditure projected at ₹48,733 crore, leading to a revenue deficit of ₹6,390 crore. 1
  • Cow milk procurement price increased from ₹45 to ₹51/litre; buffalo milk from ₹55 to ₹61/litre in the budget. 2
  • Budget aims to bring an additional 1 lakh farmers under natural farming in FY26. 2
  • MSP of ₹90/kg announced for naturally cultivated raw turmeric. 2
  • MGNREGA daily wages increased from ₹300 to ₹320 per day. 2
  • A Spice Park is to be established in Hamirpur as per the budget. 2
  • The budget includes provisions for the commencement of the Shimla Ropeway project. 2
  • Monetary incentive for inter-caste marriages increased from ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh. 1
  • An additional 37,000 beneficiaries are to be included under social pension schemes. 1
  • The state plans to procure 500 new electric buses in 2025-26. 2
  • The budget announced the establishment of separate directorates for schools and colleges. 2
  • A Special Task Force (STF) will be formed to combat drug abuse in the state. 2

II. Significant Legislative Developments

  • The HP Vidhan Sabha budget session concluded on March 28, 2025, passing ten government bills. 3
  • The Himachal Pradesh Organized Crime (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2025, was passed, prescribing stringent penalties including the death penalty or life imprisonment for drug traffickers. 3
  • The Himachal Pradesh Narcotics and Controlled Substances (Prevention, De-addiction, and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2025, was passed to establish rehabilitation centers and a dedicated fund. 3
  • The Himachal Pradesh Land Revenue (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed on March 28, introducing taxes on non-agricultural land and an environment cess. 5
  • The environment cess, up to 2% of assessed land revenue, will go to a dedicated Environment Fund. 
  • The HP Cabinet on March 3 approved the Governor’s address for the Vidhan Sabha session and the tabling of the CAG report for 2023-24. 6

III. Governance, Administrative Decisions & Schemes

  • Part-time Class-IV workers with seven years of continuous service as of March 31, 2025, to be regularized as daily wagers. 7
  • Bonafide Himachali Certificates to be granted to orphaned children residing in child care institutions for 15+ years, announced March 31. 8
  • Extension orders issued for Chief Secretary Shri Prabodh Saxena, IAS, and Ms. Anuradha Thakur, IAS, on March 29. 9

IV. Economic, Infrastructure & Environmental Updates

  • HP and Telangana governments signed an MoU on March 29 for the 400 MW Seli and 120 MW Miyad hydropower projects in Lahaul-Spiti on a BOT basis. 11
  • An Electric Vehicle (EV) Sensitization Workshop was held in Baddi on March 21 to promote e-mobility and combat industrial pollution. 12

V. Awards, Recognition & Sports Achievements

  • Himachal Pradesh received the Diamond States Award for “outstanding progress” from the Network 18 Group on March 23. 13
  • HP secured 22nd rank with 5 medals (0 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze) at the Khelo India Para Games 2025 (March 20-27). 15
  • In the Khelo India Winter Games 2025 (Gulmarg leg, March 9-12), HP ranked 2nd with 17 medals (5 Gold, 5 Silver, 7 Bronze). 16

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You cannot copy content of this page

Scroll to Top