Himachal Budget focuses on green energy, health

Fulfilling the election promise, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu govt says over 2.3 lakh women will get a monthly pension ₹1,500 in first phase

- HARPREET BAJWA

HIMACHAL Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday presented Budget 2023-24 that focuses on making Himachal a green energy state by March 31, 2026 and by promoting clean energy.

Health is another focus area of the Budget, the first of the Sukhu government. The government will set up Himachal Pradesh Medical Service Corporation. Besides, one health institute in each assembly constituency will be developed as ‘Adarsh Swasthaya Sansthan’.

The Budget estimates ₹53,413 crore for 2023-24. Revenue receipts are estimated to be at ₹37,999 crore and total revenue expenditure is projected at ₹42,704 crore. Revenue deficit is pegged at ₹4,704 crore and the fiscal deficit is estimated to be ₹9,900 crore.

The state faces a huge debt of ₹75,000 crore and other liabilities on account of payment of arrears of revised pay scales and DA amounting ₹11,000 crore. The supplementary demands for grants for 2022-23 amounting to ₹13,141 crore were passed by the House on March 15. The growth of state’s GDP remained sluggish in 2022-23 and dropped to 6.4 per cent compared to 7.6 per cent in 2021-22.