Himachal Pradesh Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Prof. Chander Kumar said on Wednesday that the upcoming advanced milk processing unit at Dhagwar in Kangra district will play a key role in strengthening the rural economy and improving the livelihoods of livestock farmers.
He was speaking at the district-level Himachal Day celebration held at the Police Ground in Dharamshala, where he served as the chief guest, hoisted the national flag, and took the salute at the parade. The Minister noted that the state government has focused over the last three years on structural reforms aimed at speeding up development and enhancing public welfare.
He highlighted that the government has placed strong emphasis on resource generation from the beginning, and has raised more than ₹49,500 crore in revenue during this period. He also pointed out that the discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant has created an annual financial shortfall of around ₹8,000–₹10,000 crore for the state.
Among key welfare measures, he mentioned the revival of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) in the first Cabinet meeting, which has provided financial security to nearly 1.36 lakh employees.
He further stated that under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana, eligible women are being gradually provided a monthly assistance of ₹1,500.
The Minister informed that a modern milk plant, being developed at Dhagwar with an investment exceeding ₹225 crore, is expected to significantly boost dairy-based income opportunities for rural households.
He also described the Finna Singh Medium Irrigation Project as an important agricultural initiative, with an approved outlay of ₹643.68 crore. Of this, ₹318.56 crore has already been utilized, and nearly 49 percent of the work has been completed.
Reiterating the government’s focus, he said efforts are being made to make the rural economy more robust and the state more self-reliant.
He added that Himachal Pradesh is offering the highest procurement prices in the country for cow and buffalo milk, raising rates to ₹61 and ₹71 per litre respectively. The state has also become the first to introduce Minimum Support Prices for naturally grown wheat, maize, and turmeric, fixed at ₹80, ₹50, and ₹150 per kg. Additionally, ginger procurement has been initiated at ₹30 per kg for the first time.
On tourism development, he said Kangra is being positioned as the tourism hub of the state, with ongoing expansion of Kangra airport. A rehabilitation and resettlement package worth ₹3,349 crore has been approved, along with multiple projects including heliports, ropeways, eco-tourism sites, and skywalk bridges. The government also plans to develop 50 new eco-tourism destinations.
The event included a parade led by Parade Commander Adarsh Baryal, followed by cultural presentations showcasing patriotic, folk, and development themes. A Red Cross lucky draw was also conducted.
On the occasion, Sushma Devi, wife of martyr Subedar Major Pawan Kumar—awarded the Sena Medal and martyred during Operation Sindoor—was honoured.
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