SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri and other cabinet ministers have termed the budget for the year 2023-24 presented by the chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu as historic and a common man’s Budget.
Mukesh Agnihotri along with agriculture minister Chander Kumar and industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, in a joint statement issued, said that Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has tried to give a new direction to Himachal Pradesh by presenting a ‘Green Budget‘.
Mukesh Agnihotri said that by March 31, 2026, the state government has set a target to develop the state as a ‘Green Energy State‘, under which 500 MW of Solar Energy would be harnessed. Apart from this, developing six national and state highways as green corridors, fifty percent subsidy to private bus operators for e-buses, 50 percent subsidy to truck operators for the purchase of e-trucks and a provision of INR 25,000 as subsidy for purchase of e-scooters for 20,000 meritorious girl students is seen as a historical step towards achieving a target of Green State by 2026. He said that a provision has been made to provide 40 percent subsidy for setting up solar power projects in the State.
Chander Kumar said that the announcement of the state government to promote Kangra as Tourism Capital of the state will open new vistas for employment and revenue generation. He said that to develop Pong Dam as a tourist paradise for water activities will go a long way in promoting water sports and other activities in the district and also will generate employment avenues for the local youth. An International standard Golf course in Kangra and matching International parameter Zoo in Bankhandi (Dehra), will attract more tourists in the State.
Harshwardhan Chauhan welcomed the budget announcement of establishing ‘Bureau of Investment Promotion’ and a new Industrial Investment Policy in the State. An Open Arm Policy will be followed to replace the Single Window system with the Bureau of Investment. The bureau will provide a plug-and Play interface to the investors.
He also welcomed the concept of ‘One District One Product’ with the setting up ‘Unity Mall’ for promoting the GI products of the State viz: handicraft, handloom etc. He also welcomed new investments upto INR 20000 crore in tourism, energy, construction and housing etc which will have a potential to provide direct employment to 40 thousand people and indirect employment to as many as 50000 people.