News
Read list of HP Budget 2018-19 highlights
Shimla: The Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, who also holds the finance ministry, today presented the Himachal Pradesh Budget for the 2018-19 session. The State Government has formulated an Annual Plan for 2018-19 with a size of ` 6,300 crore which is an enhancement of ` 600 crores over the Annual Plan size of ` 5,700 crores for 2017-18, said the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister said that when the earlier BJP Government came into power on December 31, 2007, the State had a loan of 19,977 crores, which increased to 27,598 crores when it left the office in December 2012.
However, the loan burden increased to 46,385 crores as on December 18, 2017. Thus, during 2008 to 2012 additional loan of only 7,621 crores was taken, whereas, during 2013 to 2017, an additional loan of 18,787 crores was taken which is 246 percent hike on additional loan taken during previous five years, said the Chief Minister.
Due to these loans, the State is having an annual interest burden of ` 3,500 crore, he said.
The growth rate of Himachal was 8.1 percent in 2015- 16, which reduced to 6.9 percent in 2016-17. In current year i.e. 2017-18 the growth rate is expected to be 6.3 percent, he informed.
During these three years, the growth rate of Himachal Pradesh State Economy is lower than the national growth rate. As per the advance estimates for 2017-18, the Gross Domestic Product of Himachal Pradesh has been estimated at 1, 35,914 crores and the per capita income of the State is estimated to be 1, 58,462 crores, he said.
The emphasis was laid on the agriculture by hiking several subsidies.
To read the detailed speech and budget, please scroll down to the bottom
Budget Highlights 2018-19
- Adoption of BJP ‘Drishtipatra’ as the policy document to guide the development policies of the present Government
- Lowering the age from 80 years to 70 years for providing old age pension to all, without any income limit
- Gudia & Hoshiar Singh helplines and ‘Shakti App’ launched
- New Mukhyamantri “Lok Bhawan (मुख्यमन्त्री लोक भवन)” Scheme launched for constructing Community Bhawan with an outlay of Rs. 30 lakh in every constituency
- A grant under “Vidhayak Khsetra Vikaas Nidhi Yojana” raised to Rs. 1.25 crore.
- Discretionary grant raised to Rs. 7 lakh
- Public Works and IPH will roll out Works Management Information System.
- The new e-stamping system will be launched
- All the tenders above 5 lakh will be carried out online using e-Procurement portal
- A budget provision of Rs. 220 crore under state food subsidy scheme.
- New “Himachal Grihini Suvidha Yojana (हिमाचल गृहिणी सुविधा योजना)” will be launched for women empowerment and environmental conservation
- Under the World Bank-funded Horticulture Development Project of Rs. 1,134 crore, nearly Rs. 100 crore to be spent in 2018-19
- 500 crore to be spent for Command Area Development in five years. A budget provision of Rs. 130 crore in 2018-19
- 277 crore for Minor Irrigation Schemes
- 85 crore for Medium Irrigation schemes
- New Scheme, “Jal Se Krishi Bal (जल से कृषि को बल” with a budget of Rs. 250 crore for five years launched
- New “Flow Irrigation Scheme” with an outlay of 150 crores for next five years launched
- New scheme “Solar Irrigation Scheme” launched with a budget outlay of 200 crore for next five years
- Electricity to farmers for irrigation purpose to be provided at 75 paise per unit in place of existing 1 per unit
- Levy of Certain Goods Carried by Roads(CGCR) on apple, other fruits and vegetables withdrew from 2018-19
- New scheme “Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan” with an allocation of 25 crores will be launched
- Investment subsidy of 50 percent for bio-pesticides
- Subsidy of 40 percent on machinery for setting up of “Agriculture Equipment Hiring Centres”
- 32 crore for a subsidy to farmers/horticulturists on power weeders and power tillers etc.
- Budget provision for anti-hail nets increased from Rs.2.27 crore to 10 crores.
- 60 percent subsidy under new “Baagwani Surksha Yojana (बागवानी सुरक्षा योजना )” for anti hail-guns with a budget of 10 crores
- Subsidy of 85 percent for installing solar fencing by three or more farmers with a budget provision of Rs. 35 crore under “Mukhya Mantri Khet Sanrakshan Yojna”
- 1,000 crore phase-II project under JICA to cover all the Districts for crop diversification
- The new scheme, “Himachal Pushp Utpadan Yojna” with an allocation of 10 crores launched
- 29 crore for “Pradhan Mantri Faisal Bima Yojna” and for “Weather Based Insurance Scheme”
- 150 crores proposed for upgrading and opening of new Mandis under World Bank project
- Freight subsidy of Rs. 1 per litre to dairy cooperatives to compensate for collection and distribution of milk
- Enhancement of milk procurement price by Rs. 1 per litre
- 10 and 20 percent Additional subsidy under ‘Dairy Udhyami Vikas Yojna’
- 50 percent subsidy to the BPL farmers of general category for rearing Desi cows.
- New “Mukhyamantri Badhu Vikas Yojana (मुख्यमन्त्री मधु विकास योजना)” launched with a budget of 10 crores for providing 80 percent subsidy
- Exemption on stamp duty and investment subsidy of 50 percent on plant and machinery for establishing of fish feed unit
- Setting up of Gau-Sewa Aayog announced
- Amendment in H.P. Religious Endowments and Temple Trust Act to ear mark at least 15 percent of offerings in the temples towards construction, maintenance and running of Gau-Sadans announced
- Gau Vansh Vikas cess on every bottle of liquor sold in the State collecting Rs. 8 crores per annum
- Government land on token lease of Rs. 1 for setting up of Gau-Sadans
- Award of 10 lakh to Panchayat free of abandoned cattle
- Houses destroyed due to natural calamities to be provided funds under “Mukhya Mantri Awas Yojna” for reconstruction
- 33 percent subsidy on pick-up van to encourage waste collectors in rural areas
- Gram Gaurav Patt in every panchayat
- of days for providing employment under MGNREGA increase from 100 to 120 in view of drought for 2018-19
- “Moksha Dhaam” in each panchayat will be constructed in a phased manner.
- 45 crore for members of Zila Parishads and Panchayat Samities for undertaking development activities in their areas
- 194 crore to the PRIs as per the recommendations of 5th State Finance Commission
- Honorarium of representatives of PRIs and ULBs enhanced.
- New scheme “Van Samridhi Jan Samridhi” will be launched to provide a livelihood
- 125 crore for Forest Department under externally aided projects.
- New scheme “Samudayik Van Samvardhan Yojna” will be launched.
- New scheme “Vidyarthi Van Mitra” launched
- New युवा विज्ञान पुरस्कारscheme to encourage young students towards science launched
- New, “Shresth Shahar Yojna” launched
- “National Generic Document Registration System” for online registration of documents for anywhere registration proposed
- Hand pumps to individual beneficiaries at 75 percent cost
- 500 crore to IPH for meeting energy charges for water supply and irrigation schemes
- Simplification of various procedures for increasing investments
- ”Him Pragti” online monitoring system to monitor investment and infrastructure progress to be started
- The policy of partial reimbursement of net SGST paid to be formulated.
- Bidding of a cement plant at Broh Shind in Chamba District and Nohradhar in Sirmour District
- A budget provision of 35 crore for BBND.
- 4 crores for widening of road between Barotiwala-Mandhala-Parwanoo and Barotiwala-Gunnai- Parwanoo
- Electricity Duty reduced from 4 percent to 2 percent on Small industries and 10 percent to 7 percent on medium industries
- Lease of land for industrial plots to be given for 90 years instead of 30 years at present
- No electricity duty on new small and medium industries for first five years.
- Necessary changes in the Hydro Power Policy to be carried out
- Equity contribution of 50 crore to HPSEBL for improving the voltage in rural areas
- 475 crore for subsidizing electricity to the domestic and Agriculture consumers.
- New scheme “Nai Rahain, Nai Manjile (नई राहें, नई मंजिलें)” announced for development of virgin destinations with a budget provision of 50 crore
- Proposal for development of basic infrastructure for the second phase under ADB project to Government of India
- Heli taxi services to be started and more helipads to be constructed.
- A project of Rs. 100 crore for infrastructure development at the religious circuit to be submitted to Government of India under “Swadesh Darshan” scheme.
- Religious and adventure tourism to be promoted in a big way
- Pong, Kol and Bhakra reservoirs to be developed for water sports and adventure tourism
- Water Sports, beautification of the area, construction of ghats and reviving of sulphur springs at Tattapani
- Efforts will be made to install ropeway from Sri Anandpur Sahib to Sri Naini Deviji in partnership with Punjab Government
- Exploration of possibilities of installation of ropeways from Dharmkot to Triund, Janjehli to Shikari Mata and other tourist places
- Develop a training module for people connected with tourism activities.
- New “Mukhya Mantri Swavlamban Yojna” to encourage local entrepreneurship with an outlay of ` 80 crores
- New ‘Mukhya Mantri Yuva Ajivika Yojna” for providing self-employment to Himachali youth in the age group of 18-35 years in trade and services launched with an outlay of 75 crore
- Entrepreneurship development programmes to be organized to stimulate entrepreneurship among youth
- “Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gramin Kaushalya Yojna” will be implemented with an outlay of 77 crore
- 100 crore for Skill Development Allowance
- 300 crore as grant and equity to HRTC
- Installation of electronic display boards at all the bus stands and selected bus stops to display bus timings
- An additional outlay of Rs. 20 crores for construction of Bus Stands and toilets blocks
- Mechanism of third party inspection and Independent Quality Check Squad under Chief Minister Office for ensuring the quality of Government construction
- The target of tarring of 2,500 Kilometers of road length. Additional Rs. 100 crore in 2018-19 for maintenance of roads
- A new “Himachal Road Improvement Scheme” started with an outlay of Rs. 50 crore for cross drainage
- Invitation of international bidding for keeping the Sachh Pass, Jalori Pass, Khada Pathar and Rohtang Pass open during winters
- 50 crore for improving the road alignment, signboards, parapets etc. at the identified black spots
- 50 crore for Mukhya Mantri Sadak yojna
- “The Himachal Pradesh Settlement of Pending Assessment Cases Bill”, 2018 to be laid for the benefit of the dealers.
- Setting up of a robust and transparent transfer and posting mechanism for the teachers.
- New “Mukhyamantri Adarsh Vidya Kendra (मुख्यमन्त्री आदर्श विद्या केन्द्र)”Scheme will be launched with an allocation of Rs. 25 crore for under which 10 residential schools will be constructed
- School bags to be provided to the students of 1st, 3rd, 6th and 9th class under ‘Atal Vardi Yojna’.
- Atal Tinkering Labs will be set up in selected schools
- A new programme “Akhand Shiksha Jyoti, Mere School se Nikle Moti” to be launched
- New “Medha Protsahan Yojna (मेधा प्रोत्साहन योजना)” to be launched for preparing students for competitive exams
- Grant-in-aid of Rs. 110 crore to Himachal Pradesh University
- Vanishing Manuscripts and rare books to be digitized
- New Scheme “Aaj Puarni Rahon Se (आज पुरानी राहों से)
- 25 crores for construction of the indoor auditorium
- Daily allowance to Poets/Writers/Litterateur increased by 50 percent
- New scheme “Dev Bhoomi Darshan (देव भूमि दर्शन)” to provide transport facility for senior citizens for pilgrimage within the State
- 15 crores for construction of multipurpose indoor complexes
- 6.80 crore under “Mukhya Mantri Khel Vikas Yojana (मुख्यमन्त्री खेल विकास योजना)”
- Medical emergency assistance increased from existing Rs. 50 thousand to Rs. 2.5 lakh under the “Himachal Pradesh Patrakar Kalyan Yojna”. Withdrawal of present annual income limit announced
- New “Swasthya Main Sahbhagita Yojana (स्वास्थ्य में सहभागिता योजना)”to encourage establishment the of the private allopathic hospital in rural areas launched.
- New “Mukhyamantri Nirog Yojana (मुख्यमन्त्री निरोग योजना)” launched for basic health checkup
- Increase in a number of drugs under the free drug policy in all health institutions
- 100 percent immunization target for prevention of Measles and Rubella.
- Baby kit worth Rs. 1,500 will be provided to all newborn under new “Mukhya Mantri Aashirwad Scheme”
- Kidney transplant facility will be created in the IGMC
- New “Mukhyamantri Chikitsa Sahayata Kosh (मुख्यमन्त्री चिकित्सा सहायता कोष)” for assistance to needy poor people of the State having serious ailments constituted.
- Assistance under “Mother Teressa Matri Ashray Sambal Yojna” raised to Rs. 5,000 per annum
- Assistance to BPL families under “Beti Hai Anmol Yojna” enhanced to 12,000.
- New comprehensive “Sashakt Mahila Yojna (सशक्त महिला योजना)” announced
- Critical care package under “ Swasthya Bima Yojna” enhanced from Rs. 1,75,000 to Rs. 2,50,000 for families having one or two girl child. Additional assistance of Rs. 75,000 will be payable to the girls for their medical care
- Social Security pension enhanced to Rs. 750 per month. Pension to persons having 70 percent and above disabilities and persons aged 70 years and above enhanced to Rs. 1,300 per month. A budget provision of Rs. 600 crore for Social Security Pension Schemes
- Establishment of three new women police stations in Solan, Hamirpur and Chamba Districts proposed
- An additional Interim Relief of 4 percent on basic pay/ basic pension to regular State Government Employees/ Pensioners from 1st July
- Contact employees to get emoluments equal to basic pay plus double of the grade pay
- Daily wages increased to Rs. 225 per day
- An honorarium of part-time Water Carriers, Mid-day-Meal Workers, SMC Teachers, ASHA Workers, Anganwari Workers/Helpers and Water Guards enhanced
- 65 crore for construction of new residences and Rs. 25 crores for repair of Government residences
- All functional posts in the Departments will be filled up
- A budget provision of Rs. 41,440 crore for 2018-19
Copy of Speech and Detailed Budget for 2018-19
News
HP Cabinet Decisions: Eligibility Criteria for BPL List, Special Task Force to Combat Drug Abuse & Other Decisions
Shimla-The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, in its meeting held on Thursday, approved the inclusion of the following families in the BPL list:
- Families with no adult members between the ages of 18 and 59.
- Women-headed families.
- Families whose head has a disability of 50 per cent or more.
- Families that worked for at least 100 days under MNREGA in the previous financial year.
- Families whose earning members are suffering from chronic diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, muscular dystrophy, thalassemia, or any other condition resulting in permanent disability.
The Cabinet also approved the establishment of a Special Task Force to combat drug abuse and dismantle drug trafficking and organized crime networks in the state through a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach.
Additionally, the Cabinet decided to promulgate an ordinance to amend Schedule 1A of the Indian Stamp Act of 1899. This amendment will facilitate the levy of a uniform stamp duty rate of 12 per cent on transfer and lease transactions secured under Section 118(2)(H) of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1972, with prior approval from the State Government.
The Cabinet approved a ban on the felling of trees, except for Safeda, Poplar, Bamboo, and Khair (for sale), in accordance with a ten-year program.
The Cabinet reiterated its request to the Government of India to adopt a 90:10 funding formula for the power component of the Kishau Multipurpose Project, similar to the formula adopted for its water component. Alternatively, the Cabinet proposed providing a 50-year interest-free loan for the entire amount payable by the State Government for the power component under the Inter-State Agreement.
It approved the establishment of a 1 MW Green Hydrogen Project in Nalagarh, to be executed by HPPCL.
The Cabinet sanctioned the imposition of Green Energy Development Charges for Pumped Storage Projects. A charge of ₹2.5 lakh per MW per year will be levied for the first 10 years after the project’s commissioning, increasing to ₹5 lakh per MW per year thereafter.
Approval was given to introduce the Himachal Pradesh Sadbhawana Legacy Cases Resolution Scheme 2025 to resolve pending cases, litigations, and arrears under subsumed enactments such as VAT, CST, Entry Tax, etc.
The Cabinet decided to designate the area surrounding the Tara Devi Temple in Shimla district as a Green Area.
It approved the creation and filling of 10 Junior Office Assistant (IT) posts for the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission, Shimla.
The Cabinet selected the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, to conduct computer-based tests for the recruitment of Group-C posts through the Himachal Pradesh Rajya Chayan Aayog, Hamirpur.
Approval was granted for creating the Block Primary Education Office at Rohnat by bifurcating the existing Block Primary Education Office at Shilai in the Sirmaur district.
The Cabinet decided to transfer three-gram panchayats — Matyal, Kudal, and Dhadol — from Development Block Lambagaon to Development Block Baijnath in Kangra district to serve the residents of these areas better.
The Cabinet approved the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Development Authority Land Pooling Policy-2025.
It also approved the establishment of the Himachal Pradesh State Water Informatics Centre to collect data from domain-specific bodies, develop new databases, and disseminate comprehensive water-related information.
News
HP Govt Takes Action Against Striking Zila Parishad Employees, Orders Fresh Recruitment
Shimla– Himachal Pradesh Government has initiated action against Zila Parishad cadre employees, who have been on strike since September 30 over their demands for a merger with the Panchayati Raj Department. To start with, the Govt has terminated the services of 167 Junior Engineers (JEs) and ordered fresh recruitment of Diploma or Degree holders in Civil Engineering.
According to the Director, Panchayati Raj Department, Rugved Milind Thakur, notifications have been issued to the Chief Executive Officers of Zila Parishad and the Deputy Commissioners regarding the same.
Earlier, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, in a statement to the media, had said that at a time when the State was hit by a natural disaster and is in the middle of carrying out relief work and rehabilitation of the affected people was not an appropriate time for such strike. He further added that the demands of these Zila Parishad employees would be attended to when conditions are suitable. He had added that the employees wouldn’t get anywhere by using pressure tactics against the State Government.
The Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh had maintained the same argument and urged the employees to end the strike and get back to work because their absence was obstructing relief work. Anirudh Singh argued that the HP Government was serious about the demands of the employees, but their merger will have to go through various stages in accordance with the rules and legal procedure. This process would take time, he said. However, the Minister also failed to convince the striking employees to get back to work.
A few days back, a spokesperson of the HP Panchayati Raj Department had issued a statement, which said,
“Absence of technical staff was causing delayed wage payment to the MGNREGS workers as well as hampering development works being undertaken for disaster relief and restoration. A special package has been announced by the state government for the disaster-affected families. Under this package, reconstruction of houses and cowsheds and other relief and rehabilitation works, conservation activities of agriculture and horticulture land, etc. were to be done. But these works are being affected due to the absence of technical staff.”
The Department had also sought details from all the Chief Executive Officers of the Zila Parishads regarding the absence of employees in view of the delay in developmental and disaster relief works by October 18, 2023. The government termed their absence as unauthorized.
The Department said that it was taking all necessary steps to deal with the situation arising due to the absence of certain categories of employees.
“There should not be any unnecessary delay in disaster relief and rehabilitation works and the Panchayati Raj Department was determined to ensure all assistance and other benefits to the affected families on time,” the Spokesperson said in a statement.
The Department had also handed over the charge of Panchayat Secretaries temporarily to Gram Rozgar Sevaks, Sewing Teachers, and Panchayat Chowkidars. They were also given financial powers. The Panchayati Raj Department justified that these alternative arrangements were helping to restore the issuance of certificates and other routine works of the Gram Panchayats.
However, the striking employees on Friday said the alternative arrangements weren’t working at all, thus, causing a huge inconvenience to the people. The employees said that the decision of the government to sack the JEs has not affected their strike, and it will go on indefinitely till their demand for merger is met.
Why Zila Parishad Employees Are on A Strike
4,700 Zila Parishad cadre employees have been on indefinite pen-down strike since September 30, stalling the routine functions of Zila Parishads. The main demand of the Zila Parishad cadre employees is the merger with the Panchayati Raj Department so that they could avail benefits on a par with the employees of the other government departments.
These employees also said that despite a poll promise before the elections to the State Assembly, the current Congress government was denying them the new pay scale.
These employees argued that they were suffering financial loss, and they were not receiving dearness allowance (DA) and arrears while other employees were getting these benefits.
The employees are also demanding regularization under the contract policy. The strike has also received support from Panchayat representatives.
News
HP Cabinet Decisions: Construction in Shimla’s Green Belt Areas Permitted, Special Relief Package Approved
Shimla-Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Wednesday held a meeting under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Here are the decisions taken by the Cabinet:
Approval to Construction in Shimla’s Green Belt Areas
The Cabinet also decided to amend the Shimla Development Plan and construction would be permitted in green belt area lying above the road, from Navbahar to Ram Chandra Chowk to Machhiwali Kothi to Christ Church to Lakkar Bazar to IGMC to Sanjauli Chowk to Navbhar where there are no trees.
As per the Government, residential construction in the Green Belt area as per the Shimla Development Plan will be permitted only on those plots in which there are no trees.
It also decided to amend HP Town and Country Planning Rules to allow construction at a distance of 5 meters and 7 meters from Nallah and khad respectively.
The Cabinet decided to provide two Biswas of land in urban areas and three Biswas of land in rural areas who have been rendered homeless and those who are not left with land suitable for the construction of new houses.
HP Govt’s Special Package Approved
Nod was given a Special Relief Package for the disaster-affected families in the State as announced on 30th September 2023 by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.Under the Special Package:
-
- The compensation of Rs. 1.30 lakh for a completely damaged house would be increased five and a half times to Rs. 7 lakh.
- The compensation of Rs. 4,000 for partial damage to a ‘kutcha’ house would be increased by 25 times to Rs. 1 lakh, while the compensation for partial damage to a ‘pucca’ house to be increased by 15 and a half times, from Rs 6500 to Rs. 1 lakh.
- Compensation of Rs. 25,000 given in case of damage to a shop or dhaba would also be enhanced four times to rupees one lakh.
- The HP Government will also provide increased financial assistance of Rs. 50 thousand instead of Rs. 3000 for damage to the cowshed. T
- The state government will provide assistance of Rs. 50 thousand for damage or loss to the belongings of the tenants thereby marking a 20 times increase, from the existing Rs. 2500.
- For the loss of large milch and draught animals compensation of Rs. 55000 and for goat, pig, sheep and lamb Rs. 6000 per animal compensation would be provided.
- The compensation of Rs. 3615 per bigha for damage to agricultural and horticultural land would be increased to Rs. 10 thousand.
- The compensation on crop loss of Rs. 500 per bigha is to be increased eight times to Rs.4000.
- The financial assistance for removing silt from agricultural and horticultural land is to be enhanced from Rs. 1384.61 per bigha to Rs. 5000.
This special package would be granted from 24th June 2023 to 30th September 2023.
‘Van Mitra’ Scheme Approved
The Cabinet approved the Forest Department ‘Van Mitra’ Scheme. Under this scheme, one ‘Van Mitra’ each, in 2061 Forest Beats would be engaged. It also decided to fill up 100 vacant posts of Forest Guards in the Forest Department on a contractual basis.
It decided to enhance the honorarium of Jal Rakshaks, Multi-Purpose Workers, para fitters and para pump operators of Jal Shakti Vibhag by Rs. 500 per month raising it to Rs. 5000, Rs. 4400, Rs. 6000 and Rs. 6000 respectively.
Chintpurni Passenger Ropeway
The Cabinet approved in principle to establish a passenger ropeway system from Chintpurni Baba Mai Dass Bhawan Parking to Chintpurni Temple in PPP mode in district Una with a cost of Rs. 76.50 crore.
It also gave its approval to hire 15 e-taxis in the Transport Department.
It decided to promote Amateur and Community Radios for ‘Alternate Communication during emergencies in all districts of the State. This would provide effective information exchange between information sources, emergency managers and those impacted by disaster or emergent situations.
The Cabinet decided to reduce the Additional Goods Tax on lead by 25 paise per kg.
It also accorded approval to grant 234 routes for private operators and additional 100 routes for tempo travelers to provide better transport facilities to the people of the State.
It also gave its approval for declaring Traffic Inspectors, Motor Vehicles Inspectors, Senior Motor Vehicle Inspectors of the Transport department and Assistant Sub Inspector and Head Constable of the Police Department as designed authority to compound the offences under various Sections of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.