Himachal Pradesh Government

CM calls upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Discuss royalty issues of Projects and Tourism initiatives

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met the Prime Minister Narendra Modi at New Delhi today.

He requested the Prime Minister for liberal financial assistance to the state and to release the funds due to the state at the earliest.

Chief Minister apprised him about the vision of state government to make Himachal Pradesh a self reliant state by 2032. He said that already state government is making efforts in this direction by formulating schemes and strengthening the existing ones. He elaborated about the initiatives of the state government in tourism, green energy, power and other sectors.

He strongly pleaded for safeguarding the interests of the state in hydropower projects and urged to fix a time limit for handing over the projects back to state. He also raised the issue of free royalty and handing over the projects under PSUs and CPSUs which had completed 40 years. Chief Minister also discussed other issues related to return of excess land and enhanced royalty form projects which have completed 40 years and have recovered their cost.

Chief Minister also discussed about Kangra airport and pleaded to protect the interests of apple growers of the state. He raised the issue of importing apples from Turkey and other countries.

The Prime Minister heard the demands of the Chief Minister and assured of looking into the matter of import of apples besides assuring of sympathetic consideration about other issues.

Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena was also present.

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CM advocates for release of pending dues of Himachal
Says, HP will itself become self reliant if its legitimate dues are given in time

Takes up Hydel and Tourism issues in NITI Aayog meeting

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu attended the tenth Governing Council meeting of Niti Aayog at New Delhi today. The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Discussions were held on this year's theme Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047. Focus was laid on development challenges being faced and overcoming them to achieve the objective of developed nation.

He said that special needs of the hill states should be taken into account and considered for higher allocation of funds thereby relaxing eligibility criteria in various schemes. Chief Minister also demanded release of funds due to the state which were pending since long. If the long pending dues were released by the centre well in time, Himachal Pradesh will itself become self reliant, stated the Chief Minister.

Chief Minister elaborated on the state government's vision to bring Himachal Pradesh as the most favorite tourist destination on the tourism map of the country. The State Government envisions a compact package for tourism promotion which includes and will integrate Religious tourism, Eco tourism, Water Tourism, Nature Tourism, Health Tourism etc which can attract all kinds of tourists from the country and as well from abroad. We are also expanding the Kangra Airport to facilitate the landing of the larger Airplanes which will add to the economy of the region as footfall of tourists will increase manifold.

He also strongly pleaded about State's rights in hydro power projects and raised the issue of free royalty and handing over the projects under PSUs and CPSUs which had completed 40 years.

Chief Minister raised the matter of royalty aligned with the State Government’s energy policy. He outlined the policy, which mandates 12 percent royalty for the first 12 years, 18 percent for the subsequent 18 years and 30 percent for the next 10 years in the power projects. He said that private companies already comply with this policy and emphasized that central PSUs should also follow it as well.

Chief Minister also informed that Himachal Pradesh is the Lungs of North India and has contributed a lot to preserve the green cover and added that state should get Green Bonus for protecting the environment. The state government has set a target to make Himachal Pradesh a Green Energy State by 31March, 2026. “In the coming years, Himachal Pradesh will become a pioneering State in green hydrogen production in the country. A one-megawatt capacity green hydrogen plant is being set up in Solan district in collaboration with Oil India Limited, he said.

Deliberations were also held on taking action on promoting entrepreneurship, skill development and sustainable employment opportunities.
Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Secretary to Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar accompanied the Chief Minister.

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CM strongly pleads for increase in the allocation of funds from Centre
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met Chairman, Finance Commission Dr Arvind Panagariya at New Delhi on Friday. The officers of the State Government made a presentation to the Commission in the presence of the Chief Minister and submitted an additional memorandum on behalf of the State.

The Chief Minister strongly pleaded for an increase in the allocation of funds to the State. He also advocated that the hill states of the country with geographical challenges should get their due.

The State asked for green bonus for the ecological and environmental services being rendered by the State to the nation by preserving its eco-system.

The Chief Minister said that State has suffered losses due to reduction in Goods and Service Tax and urged for duly compensating for the loss in GST.

He said that Revenue Deficit Grant for Himachal Pradesh should be increased and not tapered.

Dr. Panagariya assured that the Commission will consider the submissions of the State.

Principal Advisor to CM Ram Subhag Singh, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Principal Secretary Finance Devesh Kumar, Secretary to CM Rakesh Kanwar and senior officer of state government accompanied the Chief Minister.

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CM calls on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Urges to hike import duty on Apple and enhance borrowing limit for Himachal

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at New Delhi last evening and held discussions about various budgetary and financial issues concerning the state which require attention of the Union Government.

The Chief Minister also discussed about the issue of import of apples from Turkey. He also requested for a universal hike in import duty on apples in order to protect the interests of apple growers of the country including Himachal Pradesh.

Shri Sukhu requested the Finance Minister to raise the borrowing limit of Himachal and other special category states by at least two percent. He also briefed about various initiatives taken by the state government to improve the fiscal management in the state and about the steps taken to augment financial resources despite several financial constraints.

Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Principal Advisor to Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh, and Principal Secretary Finance Devesh Kumar were present in the meeting.
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CM advocates for appointing 'Permanent Member' from Himachal in BBMB Board

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called on Union Minister for Power, Manohar Lal Khattar, in New Delhi today and raised several key issues concerning the interests of Himachal Pradesh.

The Chief Minister strongly advocated for the release of arrears due from Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and stressed the need for appointing a permanent member from Himachal Pradesh to the BBMB board.

He urged for an increase in the State’s free power share in hydro power projects operated by Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs), particularly those, where the cost has already been recovered. He said that while the State is significantly contributing to development of the Nation, therefore its rightful dues must also be safeguarded. He said that since the PSU's and CPSU's have tremendously grown through hydel power generation but Himachal Pradesh had not got its legitimate due.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister also discussed the long-pending demand of handing over the Baira Siul project to the State, which was constructed in 1980-81. Chief Minister thanked the Union Minister for giving in-principle approval to the handover of Luhri, Sunni and Dhaula Sidh projects of SJVNL, as well as the Duggar project of NHPC to the State. He said that cost assessment of these projects was currently underway.

He also demanded the release of central funds for the development of the Jathia Devi Township and held discussions on various ongoing projects under the Urban Development Department.

Manohar Lal Khattar assured the Chief Minister of all possible assistance from the Centre.

Principal Advisor to CM Ram Subhag Singh, Principal Secretary (Finance) Devesh Kumar, Secretary to CM Rakesh Kanwar and Resident Commissioner Meera Mohanty accompanied the Chief Minister on the occasion.

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CM urges to release funds for tourism projects awaiting approval
Met Union Tourism Minister at New Delhi

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called on Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at New Delhi today. He held detailed discussions relating to various tourism projects of the State and funds awaiting approval in the Ministry.

Chief Minister apprised the Union Minister that State Government is promoting Water Tourism in the state to attract adventure tourism. He requested for speedy approval for Auhar project and added that state government envisages to develop it as major water sports destination. He added that projects for Dehra and Pong dam were also awaiting approval.

He urged to accord approval to projects under 'Swadesh Darshan Scheme' besides considering approval for projects proposed under Special Scheme to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme for developing iconic tourist centres.

He also requested for exploring possibilities for investment in Himachal Pradesh for strengthening tourism sector.

Principal Advisor to CM, Ram Subhag Singh, Secretary Tourism, Devesh Kumar, Secretary to Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar and senior officers of the State Government were also present on the occasion.

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