(MENAFN- KNN India)
Himachal Pradesh govt focuses on Green energy in Budget 2023-24 Shimla, Mar 17 (KNN) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday presented his maiden annual budget for the financial year 2023–24 in the state assembly.
Tabling the budget, the chief minister said the state will become a model for others in adopting electric vehicles in public transport.
In the budget, the government announced a subsidy of Rs 25,000 on the purchase of electric scooters for 20,000 girls studying in state government schools.
The government aims to make Himachal Pradesh a green state by 2026. It will set up solar power projects ranging from 500 MW to 1 KW in the state. It also announced a 40 percent subsidy to HP Youth to set up 100 projects up to 200 KW.
The CM announced a total of Rs 1,000 crore for the conversion of 1,500 diesel buses into electric buses in a phased manner by the Himachal Road Transport Corporation. The government will also provide a 50 percent subsidy up to a maximum of Rs 50 lakh to private bus operators for the purchase of e-buses. A 50 percent subsidy will also be given for setting up charging stations.
In order to boost tourism, Sikhu said that Kangra district will be developed as the tourist capital, and all 12 districts will be connected with heliport facilities in the next one year.
Other key announcements include a Rs 1,000 crore allotment for Mandi airport, Rs 400 crore for Kangra airport, an increase in daily wages by Rs 25, from Rs 350 to Rs 375 for laborers, Introduction of social security pensions for 40,000 new beneficiaries, Subsidy of 80 percent on making ponds for fish farming, loans to farmers at 2 percent interest rates for starting start-ups, etc.
The growth of state's GDP has remained sluggish during 2022-23 and dropped to 6.4 per cent as compared to 7.6 per cent growth recorded in 2021-22.
'We have come to work for the welfare of the people and have restored old pension scheme benefiting about 1.36 employees of the state,' he said.
The supplementary demands for grants for 2022-23 amounting to Rs13, 141 crore were passed by the house on March 15.
(KNN Bureau)
MENAFN17032023000155011030ID1105805233
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.