In a bold move to reshape Himachal Pradesh’s economic future, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has presented the 2026–27 budget with a clear focus on rural prosperity. Steering away from urban-centric policies, the budget aims at a “Vyavastha Parivartan” (systemic transformation), placing villages at the heart of the state’s growth strategy. Despite fiscal challenges, the Chief Minister emphasized sustainability and direct income support for the state’s farmers and dairy producers, or “Annadatas.”
At the core of this plan is Chief Minister Sukhu’s vision to make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant by 2030. He stated, “Real progress is measured by the prosperity of the last person in the queue.” The budget strengthens the “Gramin Arthvyavastha” (Rural Economy) by making agriculture and dairy high-yield, prestigious professions for rural youth. By relying on the state’s natural and human resources, the government seeks to keep wealth in the hands of those who cultivate it, reducing dependence on debt-driven growth models.
A landmark feature of the budget is the historic rise in milk procurement prices. Cow milk will now be procured at Rs. 61 per litre (up from Rs. 51), buffalo milk at Rs. 71 per litre (up from Rs. 61), and A2 milk, from high-quality indigenous breeds, will fetch Rs. 100 per litre. To ensure direct benefit to farmers, the DBT incentive has doubled from Rs. 3 to Rs. 6 per litre.
The budget also strengthens the Minimum Support Price (MSP) framework. Wheat from natural farming will fetch Rs. 80 per kg (up from Rs. 60), maize Rs. 50 per kg (up from Rs. 40), turmeric Rs. 150 per kg (up from Rs. 90), and for the first time, ginger will have a support price of Rs. 30 per kg. A new State Farmers’ Commission will ensure that rural voices are central to policy-making.
Demonstrating leadership and empathy, Chief Minister Sukhu announced that he will defer 50% of his salary for six months, with ministers and MLAs following suit. The budget also delivers social relief through the ‘Mukhya Mantri Apna Sukhi Parivar Yojana,’ offering 300 units of free electricity and permanent housing to 100,000 vulnerable families. This combination of fiscal discipline and rural empowerment signals a transformative approach, balancing economic prudence with a focus on the welfare of the common people.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
