Government Schemes in Himachal Pradesh by Economic Sector

The government of Himachal Pradesh has implemented a variety of schemes across the primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors to foster economic growth, create employment, support entrepreneurship, and ensure social welfare. These initiatives aim to leverage the state’s unique strengths in areas like agriculture, horticulture, industry, tourism, and sustainable development.

Primary Sector (Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Forestry, Fisheries)

Schemes in the primary sector focus on enhancing productivity, promoting sustainable practices, and improving the livelihoods of those dependent on these areas.

• Promotion of Natural Farming: Aims to bring more farmers under natural farming practices, with a target of an additional 1 lakh farmers in FY26. This initiative is part of a broader push for sustainable agriculture.  
• Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Naturally Cultivated Crops: The state has introduced an MSP for naturally cultivated raw turmeric at ₹90 per kilogram and for wheat and maize grown through natural farming (₹40/kg for wheat, ₹30/kg for maize).  
• Agriculture Loan Interest Subvention Scheme: Farmers with agricultural loans up to ₹3 lakh are offered a one-time settlement policy where the state government bears 50% of the total interest accrued on the principal amount.  
• ‘Har Khet Ko Pani’ (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana): This irrigation project aims to improve water availability for agriculture.  
• Dairy Sector Support: The procurement price for cow milk has been increased (e.g., from ₹32 to ₹51 per litre, and later to ₹45, then ₹51 per litre) and for buffalo milk (e.g., from ₹47 to ₹61 per litre, and later to ₹55, then ₹61 per litre). Milk cooperative societies also receive a transport subsidy.  
• Scheme to Purchase Cow Dung: To benefit small farmers and livestock rearers, the government has launched a scheme to purchase cow dung at ₹300 per quintal.  
• Rashtriya Gokul Mission: This central government scheme, also implemented in HP, focuses on the development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds.  
• Government Initiatives for Fishery: The state supports fisheries and aquaculture through various initiatives.  
• Model Eco Village Scheme: Aims to demonstrate environmentally sustainable development in collaboration with village communities, focusing on areas like water management, waste management, energy conservation, management of natural resources, climate change action, and sustainable livelihoods.[7, 8]  

Secondary Sector (Industry, Manufacturing, Construction, Power)

Initiatives in the secondary sector are geared towards promoting industrial growth, attracting investment, and developing infrastructure, particularly in manufacturing and hydropower.

• Himachal Pradesh Industrial Investment Policy, 2019: This policy aims to create a congenial investment climate, simplify procedures, develop infrastructure, promote Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), and encourage MSMEs, startups, and balanced regional growth. It built upon previous policies and central government packages like the Concessional Industrial Package (CIP) of 2003.  
• Chief Minister’s Startup/Innovation Projects/New Industries Scheme: Provides financial assistance (e.g., sustenance allowance of ₹25,000 per month for innovative projects) and incubation support to turn educated youth into job creators.  
• Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-Up Scheme: A ₹680 crore scheme launched to further encourage youth entrepreneurship.  
• Hydropower Development Initiatives: The state government actively promotes hydropower development, including allocating new projects and implementing policies for sustainable development, such as mandating Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) plans and ensuring minimum environmental flows. The new energy policy aims to harness an additional 10,000 MW of hydro energy by 2030.  
• Solar Power Initiatives (‘Come and Install Solar Power Projects’): Encourages private sector participation in solar energy production by simplifying regulatory processes and offering support services. The World Bank has also signed a $200 million project to increase renewable energy penetration in the state.  

Tertiary Sector (Services – Tourism, IT, Education, Health, Social Welfare, Transport)

The tertiary sector schemes focus on enhancing service delivery, promoting tourism, improving human development indicators, and providing social safety nets.

• Chief Minister Tourism Start-Up Scheme: Offers interest subvention on loans (4-5%) for young individuals to construct homestays and hotels, with an outlay of ₹50 crore.  
• Himachal Pradesh Home Stay Scheme 2008: Aims to provide authentic cultural experiences for tourists and boost rural economies by allowing residents to host visitors in their homes.  
• Skill Development Schemes (HPKVN): The Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam (HPKVN) runs various skill development programs, including those funded by the Asian Development Bank and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna (PMKVY), to enhance employability in sectors like IT, tourism, healthcare, manufacturing, etc.  
• Dr. Y S Parmar Vidyarthi Rin Yojana: Offers education loans to students at a 1% interest rate for studies in India and abroad.  
• Indira Gandhi Sukh Suraksha Yojana: Provides a deposit of ₹25,000 for a girl child born into a BPL family and life insurance benefits for parents.  
• Social Security Pension Schemes: The state provides pensions to various vulnerable groups, with plans to include additional beneficiaries.  
• Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh-Samman Nidhi Yojana: Provides an honorarium of ₹1500 per month to eligible women in a phased manner.  
• Restoration of Old Pension Scheme (OPS): Benefitting 1.36 lakh government employees.  
• Health and Nutrition Schemes:
  • Indira Gandhi Matri Shishu Sankalp Yojana: Provides supplementary nutrition to all Anganwadi Centres.  
  • Acharya Charak Yojana: Patients receive up to 20 types of diagnostic tests and 150 AYUSH medicines free of cost.  
• MGNREGA Wage Increase: Daily wages for workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act have been raised (e.g., from ₹300 to ₹320).  
• Inter-Caste Marriage Incentive: The monetary reward for inter-caste marriages has been increased from ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh.  
• Greening Education (MoU with UNESCO): Integrating environmental awareness and sustainable development into school curricula.  

Here is the information in a tabular format:

Sector	Scheme Name	Objective/Key Features	Source(s)
Primary	Promotion of Natural Farming	Increase area under natural farming; aim for an additional 1 lakh farmers by FY26.
	MSP for Naturally Cultivated Crops	Provide Minimum Support Price for crops like turmeric (₹90/kg), naturally grown wheat (₹40/kg) and maize (₹30/kg).
	Agriculture Loan Interest Subvention Scheme	State govt. bears 50% of total interest on agri-loans up to ₹3 lakh under a one-time settlement.
	‘Har Khet Ko Pani’ (PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana)	Enhance irrigation water availability for agriculture.
	Dairy Sector Support (Milk Price Increase & Transport Subsidy)	Increased procurement prices for cow and buffalo milk; transport subsidy for milk cooperative societies.
	Scheme to Purchase Cow Dung	Purchase cow dung at ₹300 per quintal to benefit small farmers.
	Rashtriya Gokul Mission	Development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds.
	Model Eco Village Scheme	Demonstrate environmentally sustainable development in villages focusing on water/waste management, energy conservation, sustainable livelihoods.
Secondary	Himachal Pradesh Industrial Investment Policy, 2019	Create congenial investment climate, simplify procedures, develop infrastructure, promote EoDB, support MSMEs & startups.
	Chief Minister’s Startup/Innovation Projects/New Industries Scheme	Financial aid (e.g., ₹25,000/month sustenance allowance) & incubation support for startups.
	Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-Up Scheme	₹680 crore scheme to encourage youth entrepreneurship.
	Hydropower Development Initiatives	Prioritize hydropower, allocate new projects, ensure sustainable development (CAT plans, minimum environmental flows). Target: additional 10,000 MW hydro by 2030.
	Solar Power Initiatives (‘Come and Install Solar Power Projects’)	Encourage private sector in solar energy by simplifying regulations; World Bank $200M project for RE penetration.
Tertiary	Chief Minister Tourism Start-Up Scheme	Interest subvention (4-5%) on loans for homestays and hotels for youth; ₹50 crore outlay.
	Himachal Pradesh Home Stay Scheme 2008	Promote authentic cultural tourism experiences and boost rural economies.
	Skill Development Schemes (HPKVN)	Provide industry-relevant skill training (PMKVY, ADB funded programs) for employability in various sectors.
	Dr. Y S Parmar Vidyarthi Rin Yojana	Education loans at 1% interest for studies in India and abroad.
	Indira Gandhi Sukh Suraksha Yojana	₹25,000 deposit for BPL girl child, life insurance for parents.
	Social Security Pension Schemes	Provide pensions to vulnerable groups; expand beneficiary coverage.
	Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh-Samman Nidhi Yojana	₹1500/month honorarium to eligible women.
	Restoration of Old Pension Scheme (OPS)	Benefit 1.36 lakh government employees.
	Indira Gandhi Matri Shishu Sankalp Yojana	Supplementary nutrition to all Anganwadi Centres.
	Acharya Charak Yojana	Free diagnostic tests (up to 20 types) and AYUSH medicines (150 types) for patients.
	MGNREGA Wage Increase	Increased daily wages for MGNREGA workers (e.g., to ₹320).
	Inter-Caste Marriage Incentive	Increased reward from ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh.
	Greening Education (MoU with UNESCO)	Integrate environmental awareness and sustainable development into school curricula.