HP CM Presents 2022 Budget — A Mixed Bag; Is it Capitalization on Upcoming Elections

BUDGET SPEECH

Honourable Speaker Sir,

With your permission, I present the budget for the year

2022-23.

2. It gives me immense pleasure to present the fifth

budget of the present Government. Despite unexpected

challenges faced during the last 4 years, our Government

has been successful in putting the State on the path of

progress and development to fulfil public aspirations. Our

State is progressing with full confidence on the path of

development. In the last 4 years, the fruits of development

have reached each individual of the State. Our Government

has made efforts to serve all sections of society through

‘Ujjwala’, ‘Mukhyamantri Grihini Suvidha Yojana’, ‘Pradhan

Mantri Kisan Samman Yojana’, ‘Ayushman Bharat’, ‘HIMCARE’,

‘Sahara’, ‘Janmanch’ and other schemes being implemented

for overall economic and social development.

3. We derive inspiration from the maxim ^lcdk lkFk]

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Hon’ble Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi Ji. Our

Government’s goal is to ensure equitable development of

all regions of the State by providing equal opportunities to

all, so as to meet the aspirations of the people of Himachal.

Our Government has received full support of the Central

Government in our effort to meet the aspirations of the

people. I express my deep gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime

Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi Ji for his special affection for

Himachal Pradesh.

4. We are servants of the people and we are progressing

earnestly on the path of public service. All our actions are

inspired by the interests of the Pradesh. We have noble and

ambitious goals and our efforts are devoted to fulfil these

pious aspirations. We are confident that the people of

Himachal Pradesh will shower their blessings once again as

they had done in December, 2017 so that the development

initiated by us continues unhindered.

5. The Health facilities in the first CORONA wave were

somewhat inadequate but we overcame shortcomings with

a strong determination to fight the Pandemic. It is because

f our Government’s resolve and strong commitment that

we developed the requisite medical infrastructure before the

2nd and 3rd waves and countered the challenges. The number

of oxygen plants has increased to 48 from a mere two in the

pre-Pandemic period. Similarly, more than 5 thousand oxygen

concentrators are now available, up to Health Sub Centre

level. The Pandemic has brought changes in our approach,

understanding of the issues involved, working methods, right

from individual to the global level and these changes

continue with long term ramifications. People of the State

have shown patience and determination in these trying

times. Thousands of families have lost their near and dear

ones. I pay my tributes to the departed souls. Our

Government is determined to stand shoulder to shoulder

with the people of the State. We have made sincere efforts

to not only save lives but also livelihoods during this

Pandemic.

6. Our Government’s devotion to welfare of the people

and commitment to achieve various targets is evident from

the fact that Himachal Pradesh became the 1st State in India

in administering 1st and 2nd doses of COVID vaccination to all

eligible persons. We have also been successfully vaccinating

children in the age group of 15 to 18 years and the senior

citizens have been given booster dose, without any delay.

During his virtual interaction with the Health Workers in

September, 2021, Hon’ble Prime Minister had lauded the

efforts of Himachal Pradesh, calling it a ‘Champion State’.

This is a matter of pride for the State. I take this opportunity

to thank Hon’ble Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi Ji for

making available adequate vaccine doses to the State when

they were required most. Investors, inspired by the reforms

undertaken by our Government, have made additional

investments. As a result, masks, PPE kits and other material

helpful in preventing the spread of COVID are being

manufactured in Himachal Pradesh and are being made

available to other States. Our State takes great pride in the

fact that Russian COVID vaccine ‘Sputnik’ is being

commercially manufactured in the State. This success is the

result of our investor friendly policies and promotion of ease

in doing business.

7. Despite difficult financial position, Union Government

has extended a helping hand and given full cooperation to

the State. Government of India has provided additional

Central Assistance of Rs.600 crore for capital investment in

2021-22. This assistance is being utilized to complete

important ongoing works. These works will be completed in

next 6 months. There has been an unprecedented increase

in the allocation for capital works in the Union Budget in

2022-23. Additional investment in capital works has not only

given a boost to the economy but new employment

opportunities have also been generated. The State

Government expresses its gratefulness to the Hon’ble Prime

Minister, Sh. Narendera Modi ji for this magnanimous support

to Himachal Pradesh.

8. Supply chain disruptions and rise in prices have been

seen due to uncertainties at international level. Despite these

challenges, the Government of India and the State

Government were able to minimize the ill effects of Pandemic

by creating extensive and strong safety net for weaker

sections, businessmen and entrepreneurs through ‘Pradhan

Mantri Gareeb Kalyaan Yojana’, ‘Aatamnirbhar Bharat’,

‘Mukhya Mantri Shehari Ajeevika Gaurantee Yojana’, and

‘Building and Construction and other Workers Welfare Board’

to mitigate the sufferings of the workers during the Pandemic.

9. Due to the timely measures taken by the Government

of India, the GDP at the national level is expected to grow at

9.2 percent against a decline (negative growth) of 7.3 percent

in 2020-21, Agriculture and Allied Activities sector is expected

to grow at 3.9 percent, Industries sector at 11.8 percent and

the Service sector are expected to grow at 8.2 percent

respectively, in 2021-22. The credit for the quick and effective

‘V’ shaped recovery of the economy goes to the dynamic

policies and pragmatic leadership of our energetic Hon’ble

Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi Ji.

10. Speaker Sir, the economy of the State is expected to

grow at 8.3 percent during 2021-22. Despite Pandemic

adversity in 2020-21, this increase is a big achievement of

our Government. According to the Advance Estimates for

2021-22, Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is expected

to be Rs.1 lakh 75 thousand 173 crore. The estimates also

indicate that the per capita income of the State will be

Rs. 2 lakh 1 thousand 854 which is Rs.51 thousand 528 higher

than the estimated per capita income at national level.

11. Speaker Sir, the Government of India has made a

provision for Single Nodal Agency Account (SNA) for all

Centrally Sponsored Schemes since 2021-22. This system will

facilitate quick transfer of Central funds into the bank

accounts of executing departments. All the 91 Centrally

Sponsored Schemes have been brought in the ambit of this

arrangement. 30 State schemes, where DBT is given, will also

be brought under this system in 2022-23.

12. An outlay of Rs.12 thousand 921 crore is proposed for

Development expenditure in 2022-23. Out of this, Rs.9

thousand 524 crore is proposed for the State Development

Budget. An outlay of Rs.2 thousand Rs.400 crore is proposed

for Scheduled Caste Development Programme and Rs.856

crore is proposed for Tribal Area Development Programme.

The outlay for Backward Area Development Programme is

Rs.100 crore 52 lakh.

13. Vigorous efforts have been made by our Government

to speed up the process of preparation of DPRs for MLA

priority schemes and getting them approved from NABARD

under Rural Development Infrastructure Development (RIDF).

Speaker Sir, I would like to inform the House that during 5

years of the previous Congress Government, 779 schemes of

Rs.3 thousand 200 crore were approved. In comparison, 826

DPRs of Rs.3 thousand 452 crore were approved by NABARD

during the first 4 years of our Government’s tenure.

14. Recently, meetings were held with the Hon’ble MLAs

which lasted two days. Based on the suggestions given by

the Hon’ble MLAs in these meetings, I make the following

announcements:—

 Present limit of posing MLA priority schemes funded

by NABARD will be increased to Rs.150 crore per

Legislative Assembly Constituency which is nearly

double of the limit in 2017-18.

 Hon’ble MLAs can include ropeways in the MLA

priority schemes, from 2022-23.

 Hon’ble Members may recommend Shaheedi Dwars

etc. commemorating the sacrifices of martyrs under

‘Vidhayak Kshetra Vikas Nidhi’.

 Allocation under ‘Vidhayak Kshetra V ikas Nidhi

Yojana’ will be increased to Rs.2 crore from 1 crore

80 lakh. With this increase, the total enhancement

in the allocation during the tenure of the present

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Government will be Rs.90 lakh which is nearly two

fold.

 The Discretionary grant of Hon’ble MLAs will be

increased to Rs.12 lakh per Legislative Assembly

Constituency from Rs.10 lakh. I would like to remind

the Hon’ble Members that this was Rs.5 lakh when

my Government took office.

15. Speaker Sir, our Government had started the ‘Grihini

Suvidha Yojana’ by expanding the scope of ‘Ujjwala Yojana’.

We have declared Himachal as a smoke-free State with the

successful implementation of both these schemes. These

schemes will be continued in 2022-23 and will be further

liberalized. I am happy to announce that now each

beneficiary will get three free cylinders including the cylinder

received at the time of connection.

The benefits are as under:-

 In case of new connection three free cylinders during

the year will be given.

 In case of old connection, where no refill has been

claimed, two free cylinders, during the year.

 In case of old connection where two free cylinders

have been given, one additional cylinder will also

be provided.

I am happy to announce that Rs. 70 crore will be spent in

2022-23 which will be Rs. 50 crore more than the last year’s

expenditure.

16. At present, the Pradesh does not have dedicated Grain

Markets. In the past, several difficulties were experienced in

selling food grains produced in Himachal, in other States. In

the coming Rabi season, Grain procurement will be done at

11 places and facilities like grading, cleanliness, electronic

weighing machines, auction yards, crates, tents, parking, and

chairs for seating etc. will be provided at these places. 4 new

Grain Mandis will be developed at a cost of Rs.15 crore at

Rampur (Una), Majari (Bilaspur), Riyali and Milwa (Kangra).

17. Speaker Sir, agriculture sector provided great stability

to the State’s economy during COVID outbreak. Agriculture

sector is expected to grow at 8.7 percent in 2021-22. While

presenting budget estimates for 2021-22, I had announced

constitution of an Expert Group for Agriculture and Allied

Sectors. State Government constituted an Expert Group

under the chairmanship of Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member,

NITI Aayog. The Expert Group has submitted its report. A

detailed action plan will be prepared by concerned

departments after examining suggestions given in the report.

18. At the time of presenting 2018-19 budget, I had

announced the start of “Prakritik Kheti Khushhaal Kissan

Yojana (PK3Y).” Results of this scheme are quite encouraging.

Hon’ble Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi Ji, while

addressing the National Conclave on Natural Farming in

Gujarat on 16th December, 2022, called upon the farmers of

the country to adopt Natural Farming and follow the example

of Himachal. In the Union Budget 2022-23, approximately

Rs.1 thousand 500 crore has been proposed to promote

natural farming. Himachal Pradesh is the 1st State to promote

Natural Farming in the Government sector. Himachal Pradesh

is marching ahead to become a Chemical Free State. Following

targets are proposed for the next year.

 50 thousand acres land will be brought under

Natural Farming by the end of 2022-23.

 At least one model of Natural Farming will be

developed in all the 3 thousand 615 Gram

Panchayats of the State. This will help train and

motivate farmers of adjoining areas.

 At least 100 villages will be developed as Natural

Farming villages as per Government of India

standards.

 Farmers engaged in Natural Farming will be

registered and out of these, best 50 thousand

farmers will be certified as Natural Farmers. The

information on Natural Farming will be made

available in public domain by developing a dynamic

Online Web portal.

 Two dedicated Natural Farming produce Mandis

will be opened in the State and 10 other Mandis

will have dedicated space to sell Natural Farming

produce.

 Sale counters of Natural Farming will be set up at

Delhi and selected places in the State, for the first

time.

19. Our Government had announced a Research and

Development Grant for both Agriculture and Horticulture

Universities, in the last budget. As advised by Hon’ble Prime

Minister, Agriculture and Horticulture Universities will update

the syllabus in the Graduate and Post Graduate Programmes

to include Natural Farming and also start research in this

field.

20. Parala Mandi is being developed as a model Mandi. A

new 5 thousand MT capacity cold store will be set up at a

cost of Rs. 60.93 crore to improve storage of fruit and

vegetables in this Mandi. In addition, a Freezing Chamber of

1 thousand 500 MT Capacity, a Grading Packing Line of

10 MT per hour capacity and an Individually Quick Freezing

(IQF) line of 1 MT per hour capacity will also be set up.

21. 13 market yards will be developed and upgraded at

the cost of Rs.31 crore under JICA aided project Phase-II, to

provide better marketing facilities to farmers.

22. Last year, I had announced setting up of a Flower mandi

in the State which has been set up at Parwanoo. In 2022-23,

another Flower Mandi will be established at a cost of

Rs. 3 crore.

23. Our Government has started cultivation of Heeng and

Kesar on a pilot basis. Initial results are encouraging. Now,

we will introduce cultivation of Dal-Chini (Cinnamon) and

monk fruit in collaboration with the Institute of Himalayan

Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur, on a pilot basis.

The possibility of growing dragon fruit in the State will also

be explored.

24. I announce to increase the outlay from Rs.5 crore to

Rs.10 crore for promoting local varieties of wheat and maize

seeds and to improve productivity of these crops. Additional

allocation of Rs.3 crore is proposed for making available High

Yield Variety seeds of other crops to the farmers.

25. Rs.2 crore is proposed for facilitating farmers for value

addition and branding of local varieties of maize which will

reach the consumers directly and fetch right price.

26. Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) are being set up

to provide direct linkage for farmers to the market. These

FPOs are an effective platform for small and marginal farmers

to sell their produce at a better price. 20 FPOs will be

established in 2022-23 of which 10 will relate to natural

farming. In addition, One FPO each will be established in

every Development Block of the State in the Cooperation

sector. The Cooperation department will provide financial

and technical assistance to these FPOs.

Rs. 583 crore has been provided for Agriculture Sector

during 2022-23.

27. Speaker Sir, Himachal Pradesh is known as Fruit Bowl

of the country. Our Government has always strived to

promote horticulture sector. A new Horticulture Policy will

be prepared to increase production and productivity.

Following initiatives will be taken:

 To promote floriculture, orchids and ornamental

plantations will be encouraged. Rs. 11 Crore will

be spent under ‘Pushap Kranti Yojana’.

 Special plantation drive will be started for Bee-Flora

and Indian varieties of bees will be encouraged.

Rs.4.5 Crore will be spent on this.

 Rs.3.0 Crore will be spent to promote production

of Shitaake and Dhingri varieties of mushrooms and

their processing and canning.

 Clusters will be set up for the cultivation of Jamun

and Mewa (Dry Fruit).

 High Density plantations and Immunity Booster

crops will be promoted.

28. People of Himachal Pradesh are indebted to

late Sh. Satyanand Stokes since apple farming was introduced

in the Pradesh due to his inspiration and efforts, which gave

a fillip to Horticulture. Horticulture has made significant

contribution to the Pradesh economy. The 75th death

anniversary of Sh. Satyanand Stokes Ji was commemorated

recently. As a mark of respect and to recognise his

contribution, I announce that Kotgarh-Thanadhar and

adjoining areas in Shimla district will be developed as

Satyanand Stokes Trail. A comprehensive plan will be

developed through convergence with the coordination of

Horticulture, Tourism and Language and Culture

Departments.

29. CA Stores are being established at various places in

addition to Processing and Canning Units. Construction of

CA Stores will be started at Chachyot, Reckong Peo, Gyabong

and Chamba in 2022-23 at a cost of Rs.58 crore. In addition,

CA Store and Grading and Packaging Houses being built in

Rohru, Gumma, Jarol Tikker, Tuttupani and Bhunter will be

dedicated to the people in 2022-23. Rs.75 crore will be spent

to complete these projects.

30. Fruit Processing Unit in Parala being constructed at a

cost of Rs.91 crore, will start production in 2022-23 and the

Fruit Processing Units located at Parwanoo and Jarol will be

upgraded at a cost of Rs.17 crore. The Market Yards being

built in Paonta Sahib, Kangani and Shaat will be dedicated

to farmers and horticulturists by September 2022. The Market

Yard being built in Parwanoo will also be completed before

March, 2023. Rs.35 crore will be spent on these activities.

31. The construction work of various minor irrigation

schemes in the horticulture sector are at various stages of

execution. Irrigation facilities will be made available in

9 thousand hectare of additional land in 2022-23. Rs.198 crore

will be spent for this purpose.

32. The ‘Horticulture Development Project’ under

execution is showing positive results. Two Centres of

Excellence will be set up in Shillaru and Palampur under the

project, for which Rs.18 crore is proposed.

Rs. 540 crore has been provided for Horticulture Sector

during 2022-23.

33. Speaker Sir, Gauvansh protection is a matter of faith

for our Government. I would like to draw attention of this

August House to the first meeting of the cabinet of our

Government in which we had taken a resolve to protect

Gauvansh in the State. We have not only established large

Cow Sanctuaries and Gaushalas at departmental level, but

have also encouraged construction of Gaushalas with private

participation. Abandoned cows used to be seen on roads in

large numbers which have reduced considerably over the

last four years. The Gauvansh in the Gaushalas and the cow

sanctuaries has increased from 6 thousand to 20 thousand

with the efforts of our Government. We are confident that

with the efforts of the Government and with the help of

Non-Government and Social Organizations, we will be able

to provide shelter to all cows in the State. I express my

gratitude to all the social workers for their cooperation in

this pious work. I also call upon the people to fulfil their

duty towards cows. The existing laws will be amended

suitably or alternatively, a new law will be enacted providing

for strict punishment for those who abandon their cows.

34. In 2022-23, I announce setting up of 5 new big Cow

Sanctuaries and Gausadans and to establish a well-equipped

farm for Himachali Pahadi Cow.

35. Speaker Sir, as a step towards affirming the commitment

of my Government towards Gauvansh, I am happy to

announce increase in the grant for dependent cows in private

Gaushalas from Rs.500 per cow per month to Rs. 700 per

cow per month. I announce that this arrangement will be

known as “GOPAL”. The grant for Government Gaushalas will

also be adequately increased.

36. Two Milk Processing Plants of 50 thousand litres per

day capacity each will be started at Duttnagar and Chakkar

Mandi for the expansion of dairy activities in 2022-23.

37. Speaker Sir, for protecting the interests of the families

associated with milk production, I have increased the milk

procurement price by Rs.7 per litre in the last 4 years. I am

happy to announce to increase it by Rs. 2 per litre in

2022-23.

38. 44 mobile veterinary ambulances will be

operationalized for the first time to provide better facilities

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to Animal Husbandry farmers, on which Rs.7 crore will be

spent. A Call Centre will be set up to provide assistance to

the cattle owners.

39. Two thousand sheep units will be set up under the

‘Rural Backyard Sheep Development Scheme’ on which

Rs. 12 Crore will be spent.

40. Under National Artificial Insemination Program Phase-

3, free artificial insemination facility will be provided to

5 Lakh cows and buffaloes at a cost of Rs.10 crore. Besides,

Sex Sorted Semen based Artificial Insemination will be

arranged at a cost of Rs.7 crore.

41. Many Gram Panchayats Veterinary Assistants working

under the ‘Mukhya Mantri Aarogya Pashudhan Yojana’ are

now eligible to be appointed as Veterinary Pharmacist. Eligible

Gram Panchayats Veterinary Assistants will be appointed as

Veterinary Pharmacist and necessary changes will be made

in the scheme or in the R & P Rules, if required.

Rs. 469 crore has been provided for Animal Husbandry

Sector during 2022-23.

42. Speaker Sir, considering the immense potential in

Fisheries in the State, 120 new Trout Units will be established

in 2022-23. In addition, Biofloc Fishing Units, Trout Hatcheries,

Fish Feed Mills and Ice Making Units will be established. 20

new fish farm ponds will be constructed in the private sector.

43. Fishermen will be provided 20 three wheelers, 80 motor

cycles equipped with iceboxes and 200 boats with fishing

nets, at subsidised rates in 2022-23. 40 percent subsidy for

men and 60 percent subsidy for women, Scheduled Caste

and Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries will be available.

44. 500 youth will get employment in the fisheries sector

in 2022-23.

45. Speaker Sir, Social Security Pension is an important

instrument to provide required assistance to the

Fisheries

Social Security

Pension

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economically weaker sections. Social Security is a top priority

for our Government. In the first Cabinet meeting of our

Government we took the historic decision of reducing the

age for old age pension from 80 years to 70 years, irrespective

of income, which has benefited over 3 lakh pensioners, who

are now getting Rs.1,500 per month pension.

46. In addition to above, our Government has increased

social pension during the last 4 years in a progressive manner

as follows:-

 The monthly pension for widows, destitute women

and old age pensioners below the age of 70 years

was increased from Rs.700 per month to Rs. 1,000

per month.

 The old age pension for persons above the age of

70 years and Divyangjans with more than 70 percent

disability, was increased from Rs. 1,100 to Rs. 1,500

per month.

 Pension for the women in the age group of 65 years

to 69 years was increased to Rs. 1,000 per month

without any income limit.

 The pension to the lepers and Transgender was

increased from Rs. 700 per month to Rs. 850 per

month.

4 lakh 25 thousand pensioners were getting social

security pension in 2017 with an expenditure of about

Rs. 450 crore. Our Government has added more than

2 lakh 20 thousand beneficiaries under this scheme, during

the last 4 years.

47. 6 lakh 35 thousand beneficiaries are being provided

social security pension by our Government at present. Our

Government will provide social security pension to additional

40 thousand applicants in 2022-23, based on existing

eligibility conditions.

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48. Recently, on the occasion of completion of the Swaran

Jayanti celebrations, on the Statehood day, I had announced

an increase in the eligibility income ceiling which was

determined in 2014 from Rs.35 thousand to Rs. 50 thousand

per annum, for schemes of the Department of Social Justice

and Empowerment. This decision will enable an additional

60 thousand persons to get the benefit of Old Age/Widow/

Single Woman/Divyang Pension.

49. Fulfilling the promise made in our Government’s Drishti

Patra, I am happy to announce that the age limit for old age

pension, irrespective of income, will be reduced to 60 years

for all.

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50. I am also happy to announce an increase in the pension

amount for eligible persons Leprosy patients and transgender

between 60 to 69 years from Rs. 850 to Rs. 1,000 per month,

from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,150 per month for widows/divyang

persons, destitute women and single women and the pension

of persons over 70 years and Divyangjans with disability of

70 percent and above will be increased from Rs. 1,500 to

Rs. 1,700 per month.

51. Speaker Sir, our Government has increased both the

coverage and outlay of social security pension schemes being

implemented in the State. The total number of beneficiaries

under these schemes will exceed 7 lakh 50 thousand and

approximately Rs.1 thousand 300 crore will be spent in

2022-23 as compared to an outlay of Rs. 450 crore in

2017-18. The outlay for social security scheme will, thus,

increase three times during the tenure of our Government.

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Speaker Sir, the Social Security Pension benefits

announced in the Budget are summed up below:—

Increase in Pension amount

 Persons presently getting Rs.850 per month will now

get Rs. 1,000 per month.

 All groups presently getting Rs. 1,000 per month

pension will get Rs. 1,150 per month.

 Persons presently getting Rs. 1,500 per month will

now get Rs. 1,700 per month.

Increase in beneficiaries

 Women in the age group 60 to 65 years will also be

entitled to old age pension without any income

limit.

 Men in the age group 60 to 69 years will also be

entitled to old age pension without any income

limit.

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52. Speaker Sir, our mothers and sisters have contributed

immensely to development of the State and the Nation. Our

Government is committed to women empowerment and

gender equality and has taken several steps in this direction.

As a new step in this direction, I am presenting a separate

Gender Budget Statement for 2022-23 in this August House.

This Statement contains details of all major schemes devoted

to women welfare and empowerment. This Statement will

be helpful in monitoring schemes being implemented for

women empowerment and will also help in reviewing them

in consultation with women beneficiaries of these schemes.

53. In my last Budget, I had announced that our

Government is committed to eliminate Stunting, Wasting,

Malnutrition and Anaemia in children and that a study on

this important issue will be conducted in collaboration with

NITI Aayog, based on which, an Action Plan will be drawn

up.

Women & Child

Development

and Welfare of

Weaker Sections

17

54. The State Government has done extensive

consultations with Dr. V.K Paul, Member, NITI Aayog and an

Action Plan has now been prepared. A new “Mukhya Mantri

Bal Suposhan Yojana” will be started to remove child

malnutrition. This Yojana will have 7 pillars:-

 Identification of 2 main diseases viz. Diarrhoea and

Pneumonia in the growing stages of children and

their early treatment.

 Continued monitoring and comprehensive review

of underweight new-born infants and children.

 Give appropriate protein rich food for complete

nutrition.

 Special initiatives to combat anaemia in children,

expecting women and lactating mothers.

 Early identification and treatment of Hypertension

and Anaemia in expecting women and lactating

mothers.

 Proper treatment of undernourished children.

 Special focus on IEC activities and monitoring.

55. This scheme will be run through the joint efforts of the

Central and State Government and the Departments of

Women and Child Development, Health and Elementary

Education will ensure necessary coordination to implement

the scheme. It is important that staff of different departments

have proper coordination and communication based on

which, the appropriate indicators are identified. Interface

Portability and Data Inter-operability will be ensured and

detailed guidelines and monitoring mechanism to implement

the scheme will be issued within two months.

56. Rs.65 crore will be spent for ‘Mukhya Mantri Bal

Suposhan Yojana’. Government of India funds will also be

pooled to supplement these efforts.

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57. Speaker Sir, recognising the importance of Women and

Child Development, Saksham Aanganwadi and Poshan-2.0

Yojana have been given a new shape to provide additional

benefits to women and children. I would like to apprise the

House that out of 18 thousand 925 Aanganwadi Centres in

the State, only 2 thousand 138 Aanganwadi centres are

running in the departmental buildings. As a new initiative in

this regard, I announce the construction of 1,000 new

Aanganwadi buildings. These will be constructed at a cost of

Rs.70 crore in coordination with Central Government,

through convergence with MNREGA.

58. At present 6 thousand 718 Aanganwadi Centres have

been developed as Model Aanganwadi Centres. Facilities like

slides, swings, blue model baby table and chair have been

provided in these model centres. I announce to convert

remaining 12 thousand 207 Aanganwadi Centres into Model

Aanganwadi Centres in a phased manner. Rs.32 crore will be

spent for this purpose.

Speaker Sir, for the contribution made by the women to

society, I would like to say:-

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59. I am happy to increase the present grant of

Rs. 50 thousand to Rs.65 thousand for couples under the

‘Widow Remarriage Scheme’, to encourage widow

remarriage.

60. One Time Settlement scheme for beneficiaries of the

Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe

Development Corporation will be made more liberal and its

term will be extended. Over 1,000 people have befitted from

this scheme till date. More than 12 thousand people will be

eligible to avail benefit and an interest and penalty amount

19

of Rs. 12 crore can be settled with this. A policy will also be

made for One Time Settlement of the loans taken through

Himachal Backward Classes Financial Developmental

Corporation.

61. Speaker Sir, Social Justice and Empowerment

Department is presently running different institutions viz.

Child Care Centres, District Child Protection Units, Old Age

Homes, etc. To ensure uniformity in the remuneration paid

to the staff in these Institutions, I announce that the State

Government will provide Top Up to these employees. The

Top Up will be given till Government of India revises its

contribution.

62. Under the ‘Mukhya Mantri Bal Uddhar Yojana’,

presently a grant of Rs. 20 thousand is given for selfemployment

to children who on leaving Bal/Balika Aashrams

do not wish to continue their studies. I am happy to announce

increase in this grant to Rs. 35 thousand per child.

63. To rehabilitate and provide education to destitute and

abandoned children, I announce the start of a new “Mukhya

Mantri Asahaya Bal Punarvas Yojana” in 2022-23.

u tkus oks cPpk fdl f[kykSus ls [ksyrk gS]

tks fnu Hkj cktkj esa f[kykSus csprk gSA

64. Speaker Sir, under the Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee

Yojana, Central Government has sanctioned 119 watershed

development schemes covering 54 thousand hectare in

26 Development Blocks at a cost of Rs. 151 crore. These

schemes will be started in 2022-23.

65. Under the Panchvati Yojana, 28 Parks have been

developed under MNREGA. In 2022-23, 200 additional Vatikas

and parks will be developed.

66. Plantation and Horticultural activities on private and

forest lands are permissible activities under MNREGA. In

2022-23, plantation will be done under MNREGA with the

Panchayati Raj

& Rural

Development

20

help of the Forest Department on which Rs. 50 crore would

be spent.

67. Speaker Sir, there is heavy traffic on routes connecting

areas of pilgrimage and of tourism importance. It is proposed

to construct 12 Multi-Purpose Convenience Centres with

adequate toilet and other facilities, through convergence.

68. A plant based on Plasma technology will be constructed

on a pilot basis for Solid and Liquid Waste Management in

rural areas. 8 thousand villages will be covered under Plastic

Solid Waste and Grey Liquid Waste Management. In addition,

all the Development Blocks of the State will be covered by

active Plastic Waste Management Programme. 2 thousand

510 persons including 870 Gram Panchayat Pradhans will be

given necessary training.

69. Based on the recommendation made by the Sixth State

Finance Commission, I propose a provision of Rs. 352 crore

for the payment of committed liabilities of Panchayati Raj

Institutions, which is Rs. 104 crore more than that of

2021-22.

70. I am happy to announce increase in the honorarium

of representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions as

under:-

 With an increase of Rs. 3,000 per month, Chairman,

Z ila Parishad will get Rs. 15,000 per month

honorarium. With this, the total increase during

the tenure of this Government will be Rs. 7,000 per

month.

 With an increase of Rs. 2,000 per month, V ice

Chairman, Zila Parishad will get Rs. 10,000 per

month honorarium. With this, the total increase

during the tenure of this Government will be

Rs. 4,000 per month.

 With an increase of Rs. 1,000 per month, Member,

Z ila Parishad will get Rs. 6,000 per month

21

honorarium. With this, the total increase during the

tenure of this Government will be Rs. 2,500 per

month.

 With an increase of Rs. 2,000 per month, Chairman,

Panchayat Samiti will get Rs. 9,000 per month

honorarium. With this, the total increase during the

tenure of this Government will be Rs. 4,000 per

month.

 With an increase of Rs. 1,500 per month, Vice

Chairman, Panchayat Samiti will get Rs. 6,500 per

month honorarium. With this, the total increase

during the tenure of this Government will be

Rs. 3,000 per month.

 With an increase of Rs. 1,000 per month, Member,

Panchayat Samiti will get Rs. 5,500 per month

honorarium. With this, the total increase during the

tenure of this Government will be Rs. 2,500 per

month.

 With an increase of Rs. 1,000 per month, Pradhan,

Gram Panchayat will get Rs. 5,500 per month

honorarium. With this, the total increase during the

tenure of this Government will be Rs. 2,500 per

month.

 With an increase of Rs. 500 per month, Up-Pradhan,

Gram Panchayat will get Rs. 3,500 per month

honorarium. With this, the total increase during the

tenure of this Government will be Rs. 1,300 per

month.

 Member, Gram Panchayat will now get Rs. 300 per

sitting of the Gram Panchayat with an increase of

Rs. 50 per sitting. The increase in sitting fees has

been Rs. 75 during the tenure of present

Government.

71. There are about 32 thousand Self Help Groups with a

strength of 2 lakh 50 thousand women under the ‘National

22

Rural Livelihood Mission’. I announce to start a new ‘Mukhya

Mantri Mahila Sashktikaran Yojana’ under which, the

following benefits will be granted to these Self Help Groups:—

 An additional grant of Rs. 25 thousand will be

provided as one time Top-Up in 2022 for the

Revolving Fund of these Self Help Groups. These

groups will get Rs. 25 crore as this Top-up.

 The women members of these Self Help Groups will

be covered for one year by the ‘Pradhan Mantri

Suraksha Bima Yojana’ and ‘Pradhan Mantri Jeevan

Jyoti Yojana’. The annual premium of Rs. 12 and

Rs. 330, respectively, in the two schemes will be

borne by the State Government. Rs. 10 crore will

be spent for the purpose.

 The cadre of Community Resource Persons known

differently as Krishi Sakhi, Pashu Sakhi, Krishi

Udhyog Sakhi, Vitt Sakhi, Bank Sakhi etc., presently

getting an honorarium of Rs. 350 per day for duties

within the Home Development Block, will be paid

an increased honorarium of Rs. 500 per day.

 Under the ‘National Rural Livelihood Mission’, in

category-I districts namely Shimla, Mandi, Kangra

and Una, the SHGs get loan at 4 percent

concessional rate, after Government of India’s

subsidy, on timely repayment. In other 8 category-

II districts, the interest rate is 7 percent. I announce

that Self Help Groups in the 8 category-II districts

too, will now get loans at a uniform rate of

4 percent, at par with category-I districts. The

additional interest subvention, after Government

of India’s subsidy, will be borne by State

Government.

72. ‘Swaran Jayanti SHG Sahyog Yojana’ started last year

will be reformulated and continued in next year. Under the

scheme, Self Help Groups will be given incentive money.

23

An amount of Rs. 65 crore will be spent for assisting various

Help Groups in 2022-23.

Rs. 1 thousand 662 crore has been provided for

Panchayati and Rural Development during 2022-23.

73. Speaker, Sir, under the Smart City Mission, 59 projects

at a cost of Rs.160 crore will be dedicated to the public in

Shimla and 65 projects at a cost of Rs. 166 crore will be

dedicated in Dharamsala, in 2022-23. New works at an

estimated cost of Rs. 104 crore and Rs. 165 crore will be

started in Shimla and Dharamsala, respectively.

74. For the construction of parkings in urban local bodies,

50 percent of the total cost is met by the Government while

the local body has to contribute the remaining 50 percent.

I announce to increase the Government contribution to

75 percent.

75. ‘Mukhya Mantri Urban Livelihood Guarantee Scheme’

was launched in 2020 to provide employment to urban youth

during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Due to its popularity, I

announce that this scheme will be continued in 2022-23 with

suitable modifications. A bill providing for guaranteed

employment for urban unemployed youth providing for

eligibility and other conditions will be introduced in this

session. Rs. 5 crore will be spent on this scheme.

76. The Government has started the ‘Atal Shrestha Shahar

Yojana’ to encourage Urban Local Bodies under which, the

best performing 3 Municipal Councils and 3 Nagar Panchayats

are given cash awards. I announce that this scheme will be

extended to the Municipal Corporations also.

77. An action plan will be prepared to clear Legacy Waste

Sites and to beautify these sites by planting trees and other

flora. These sites will be developed as Parks and Tourist Spots.

78. On the basis of the recommendations made by the Sixth

State Finance Commission, I propose a provision of

Urban

Development

24

Rs. 187 crore for the payment of committed liabilities of the

Urban Local Bodies, which is Rs. 24 crore more than that of

2021-22.

79. I am happy to announce an increase in the honorarium

of Urban Local Bodies representatives as per following:—

 With an increase of Rs. 3,000 per month, Mayor,

Municipal Corporation will get Rs. 15,000 per month

honorarium. With this, the total increase during

the tenure of this Government will be Rs. 7,000 per

month.

 With an increase of Rs. 1,500 per month, Deputy

Mayor, Municipal Corporation will get Rs. 10,000

per month honorarium. With this, the total increase

during the tenure of this Government will be

Rs. 4,000 per month.

 With an increase of Rs. 1,000 per month, Councillor,

Municipal Corporation will get Rs. 6,500 per month

honorarium. With this, the total increase during

the tenure of this Government will be Rs. 2,500 per

month.

 With an increase of Rs. 1,500 per month, President,

Nagar Parishad will get Rs. 8,000 per month

honorarium. With this, the total increase during

the tenure of this Government will be Rs. 4,000 per

month.

 With an increase of Rs. 1,000 per month, V ice

President, Nagar Parishad will get Rs. 6,500 per

month honorarium. With this, the total increase

during the tenure of this Government will be

Rs. 3,000 per month.

 With an increase of Rs. 500 per month, Councillor,

Nagar Parishad will get Rs. 3,000 per month

honorarium. With this, the total increase during

the tenure of this Government will be Rs. 1,300 per

month.

25

 With an increase of Rs. 1,000 per month, Pradhan,

Nagar Panchayat will get Rs. 6,500 per month

honorarium. With this, the total increase during the

tenure of this Government will be Rs. 3,000 per

month.

 With an increase of Rs. 1,000 per month, Up-

Pradhan, Nagar Panchayat will get Rs. 5,000 per

month honorarium. With this, the total increase

during the tenure of this Government will be

Rs. 2,200 per month.

 With an increase of Rs. 500 per month, Member,

Nagar Panchayat will get Rs. 3,000 per month

honorarium. With this, the total increase during the

tenure of this Government will be Rs. 1,500 per

month.

Rs. 713 crore has been provided for Urban

Development during 2022-23.

80. Speaker Sir, the expansion made in the education

facilities in the State has been lauded at national and

international levels as is observed from many reports and

other publications. Taking forward the efforts announced in

my previous budget speeches to provide quality education. I

announce the following 6 point Action Plan:-

Point – I : Implementation of National Policy on Education –

2020

 Pre-primary classes are being started for children

in the age group of 3 to 6 years in Government

Primary Schools in a phased manner under the

National Education Policy. This will further be

expanded in other schools.

 Real time teaching will be started in a hybrid mode

in all Government Elementary, High and Senior

Secondary Schools. This will benefit about 6 lakh

students.

Quality

Education

26

 I announce to introduce a new scheme “Shreshth

Shiksha Gunvatta Protsahan Yojana” to encourage

competition among Government Schools of the

State. These schools will be ranked based on the

evaluation of learning outcomes and top three

schools of the State and top three schools of each

district will be granted cash awards under the

scheme.

Point – II : Quality Improvement through IT

The three schemes announced by me in the last two

years to improve quality of education in Primary to College

level Institutions appear to have yielded positive results.

I propose that more institutions will be covered under these

schemes as follows: (1) ‘Swaran Jayanti Gyanodaya Cluster

Shreshth Vidyalaya’ under which 100 new schools, (2) Swaran

Jayanti Utkrisht Vidyalaya’ under which 68 new schools and

(3) Swaran Jayanti Utkrisht Mahavidyalaya in 10 new colleges

will be covered in 2022-23. More emphasis will be given to

these three schemes in the coming year. IT will have a special

role in the implementation of these schemes. Rs. 54 crore

will be spent in 2022-23 on the three schemes.

Point – III : Medha Promotion

 Presently, the Government is implementing various

scholarship schemes. The scholarship in a large

number of these schemes has not been revised for

many years. I announce that students who are

getting scholarship ranging from Rs. 700 to

Rs. 1 thousand 250 per month under ‘Maharishi

Balmiki Chhaatervriti Yojana’, ‘Indira Gandhi

Utkrisht Chhaatervriti Yojana’, ‘Kalpana Chawala

Chhaatervriti Yojana’, ‘Dr.Ambedkar Medhavi

Scholarship Scheme’, ‘Swami Vivekanand Utkrisht

Scholarship Scheme’, will not get an increased

amount of Rs. 1 thousand 500 per month implying

that they will be getting Rs. 18 thousand per

27

month. The scholarship amount under ‘National

Military College Scholarship Scheme’ and ‘Sainik

School Scholarship Scheme’. will be increased to Rs.2

thousand per month implying that they will be

getting Rs. 24 thousand per annum.

 In addition, I would like to draw the attention of

this House to the scholarship being given to the

children of armed forces martyrs and differently

abled persons. The scholarships being given to such

persons has not been revised since 1983 and they

are getting scholarship ranging from Rs. 30 to Rs.200

per month. I announce to uniformly increase

scholarship under above schemes to Rs. 500 per

month which will add up to Rs. 18,000 per annum.

 I also announce to rename the IRDP Scholarship

Scheme as “Mukhya Mantri V idyarthi Kalyan

Yojana” and by increasing the scholarship amount

under the scheme as these have not been increased

since 1991. The scholarship of Rs. 300 per annum

will be increased to Rs. 1 thousand 500 per annum

for boy students and to Rs. 2 thousand per annum

from Rs. 600 for girl students. Similarly, the students

studying in colleges will now get Rs. 5 thousand

instead of Rs. 1,200 per annum and the college

students living in hostels will now get Rs. 6 thousand

instead of Rs. 2 thousand 400 per annum.

 I am happy to announce a new “Bal Pratibha

Scholarship Yojana” for top 500 meritorious

students of class-4 and class-5 based on merit in

class-3. A scholarship of Rs. 3,000 per annum will

be given under the Yojana.

 The above announcements will benefit about

30,000 students. Additional amount of Rs. 15 crore

will be spent on the above schemes.

 Some research scholars in the State Universities do

not get any scholarship. I announce to start a new

28

“Mukhya Mantri Shodh Protsahan Yojana” in

2022-23 under which a monthly fellowship of

Rs. 3 thousand will be given to such research

scholars. This fellowship will be available for 3 years

from the date of registration. This will not only

provide economic support to the research scholars

but will also help in promoting merit and high

quality research.

Point– IV : Society and Parent Involvement

 To improve the education system and quality of

education, at least 3 meetings between the parents

and teachers will be ensured in a year.

Point– V : Introduction to Environment and Nature

 Solar Power Panel Systems will be installed in

50 Government colleges, 50 schools and 20 ITIs in

2022-23 to promote Solar Energy.

 AYUSH gardens will be established in 200 schools

and 50 Government colleges to plant rare medicinal

plants and herbs with the collaboration of Forest

and AYUSH Departments, in 2022-23.

Point – VI : Employment Counselling

 Career Counselling and Guidance Cells will be setup

in the Government Schools and Colleges of the

State for the guidance and career counselling of

the students. Career Guidance and Placement Cells

will also be set-up in all Government Colleges,

Sanskrit Colleges and Universities for the purpose

of providing employment and wherever they

already exist, will be strengthened further.

Speaker Sir, I would like to say:-

fdrkc vkSj dye gj cPps dh rdnhj cnysxh]

Kku dh T;ksfr fgekpy dh rLohj cnysxhA

81. Speaker Sir, Himachal Pradesh University was

established in Shimla in 1970. This has been the sole State

29

University for last 52 years. I announce that the ‘Sardar Patel

University in Mandi’ will start functioning from April, 2022.

82. Speaker Sir, Education Department has maximum

number of employees and there are certain pending service

matters of some cadres. In the last budget, I had announced

to resolve these issues. I announce that:

 The designation of B.Ed and TET qualified and

eligible Shastri and Language Teachers will be

changed to TGT (Sanskrit) and TGT (Hindi).

 Lecturer (School Cadre) and Lecturer (School New)

will be designated as Lecturer (School). In addition,

one time option for promotion as Headmaster will

be given to promoted lecturer from TGTs.

Rs. 8 thousand 412 crore has been provided for

Education during 2022-23.

83. Speaker sir, I am happy to announce that B.Tech in

Computer Science and M.Tech programme in Civil Engineering

will be started in Jawaharlal Nehru Engineering College,

Sundernagar from the coming session. Diploma courses in

Electrical Engineering will be started in Government

Polytechnic Institute for Women, Kandaghat and Pharmacy

Diploma Course will be started in Government Polytechnic

Institute, Talwar.

84. DPRs will be prepared for opening four new

Government Industrial Training Institutes in the State, namely

at Ladaghat and Shri Naina Devi Ji in district Bilaspur; Kataula

in district Mandi; and Dhartidhar and Bechar-ka-Bagh in

Sirmaur district.

85. I announce the launch of a new scheme “Kaushal Aapke

Dwar” with the aim of providing services like plumbing,

welding, electrical repairs and Fridge and AC repair for the

people of the State. Under this scheme, the ITIs having courses

Technical

Education/Skill

Development

30

in these trades will be providing services to the nearby

consumers at lowest possible rates.

ftlesa dkS’ky gksxk] ogh dq’ky gksxkA

dkS’ky ds ne ij gh] og lQy gksxkAA

86. Speaker Sir, the Union Government has provided liberal

financial assistance to the State Government for expansion

and strengthening of health services in the State. The

State will be availing a total assistance of about

Rs. 1 thousand 300 crore by the end of 2022-23, which

includes an assistance of Rs. 419 crore received in 2021-22

and Rs. 848 crore budgeted in 2022-23 by the Central

Government. I extend gratitude from the depth of my heart

to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji for this

assistance.

87. Our Government had started the ‘Mukhya Mantri

Himachal Health Care Yojana- HIMCARE’, on 1st January, 2019

to complement the ‘Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan

Arogya Yojana’. Under ‘HIMCARE’, 2 lakh 40 thousand

beneficiaries have been provided free medical services worth

Rs. 218 crore. I announce an increase in the validity period

of ‘HIMCARE’ card from the present 1 year to 3 years.

Presently, registration under Mukhya Mantri HIMCARE is

done from January to March. I announce that registration

for HIMCARE will now be done throughout the year. I also

announce that HIMCARE cover will be extended to inmates

of the prisons within the State.

88. I announce to start a new “Mukhya Mantri Mobile

Clinic (M3C)” scheme to introduce Mobile Health Services at

the door steps of the rural population and interior areas. A

mobile clinic will be started in each Legislative Assembly

Constituency which will have necessary instruments and

equipment for providing basic health services. One Doctor

with her/his team will provide health services in the villages.

This team will visit field after providing OPD services in the

health institutions for half day. The Doctor will thus function

as a family Doctor. This will be a boon for those people who

Health & Family

Welfare

31

do not have access to health services in the nearby areas

and will also help in dealing with COVID like situation.

89. In view of rising heart diseases, Cath Lab facilities which

are currently available in IGMC and RPMC Tanda, will also be

provided in Medical Colleges at Hamirpur and Nahan.

Rs. 20 crore will be spent for the purpose.

90. I am happy to announce that PET scan and

Brachytherapy will be made available at RPMC, Tanda and

PET scan and MRI facilities will be established at Nerchowk

Medical College for the convenience and treatment of the

cancer patients. Rs.61 crore will be spent for this purpose.

91. A comprehensive Lactation Management Centre will

be set up at Nerchowk Medical College, where donors’ milk

will be collected, tested, preserved and made available to

new born children under treatment.

92. A ‘Model Primary Health Centre’ will be developed in

each Health Block in 2022-23, to ensure modern health

facilities as per Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS)

standards.

93. At present, there are 198 ambulances under National

Ambulance Services- 108 in the State. 50 new ambulances

will be procured to reduce their response time at a cost of

Rs. 15 crore.

iwjk vkSj fu%’kqYd bykt+ feys lcdks]

;g Fkk gekjk liukA

vk;q”eku Hkkjr] fge ds;j ls]

cuk LoLF; fgekpy viukAA

94. A specialised cadre of Medical Officers will be created

to provide better health services in different areas of the

State. Adequate posts of faculty and other categories will be

filled up in the new Medical Colleges at Nahan, Chamba, Ner

Chowk and Hamirpur.

95. The Doctors have worked relentlessly and selflessly and

have provided their services during the spread of COVID-19.

Considering vast expansion in health institutions in the State

32

during the last few years, I announce to create 500 new posts

of Medical Officers.

Rs. 2 thousand 752 crore has been provided for Health

during 2022-23.

96. Our Government will upgrade 100 AYUSH dispensaries

as Wellness Centres in 2022-23.

97. With the efforts of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri

Narendra Modi Ji, ‘Yoga’ has made its mark in the

International arena and the United Nations Organization has

declared 21st June as the International Yoga Day. Our

Government is committed for promotion of Yoga. In this

direction, male and female Yoga Instructors (Aarogya Mitras)

will be engaged in Wellness Centres.

98. Speaker Sir, The State Government is paying the subsidy

on account of electricity bills of domestic and agricultural

consumers to the HP Electricity Board in advance. Our

Government will provide Rs.500 crore subsidy next year to

the Board. “Zero Billing” will be done for about 4 lakh 40

thousand domestic consumers whose monthly electricity

consumption is up to 60 units, from 1st April, 2022. In

addition, cheaper electricity will also be provided at the

subsidised rate of Rs. 1 per unit to 7 lakh consumers

consuming between 61-125 units. To give relief to farmers,

the electricity rate will be reduced from 50 paise per unit to

30 paise per unit. Electricity consumers will get an annual

benefit of Rs.100 crore from these concessions.

99. Our Government is committed to ensure 24×7 reliable

power supply in the State. To ensure quality power supply,

my Government is working on 12 additional HT schemes. An

additional HT scheme will be started in 2022-23. In view of

increasing load, 393 MV capacities will be added to effectively

tackle the voltage problem.

100. To eliminate low voltage problem, 23 new schemes will

be started in 2022-23 by constructing new 33/11 KV HT

MPP and Power

Aayush

33

stations and expansion in capacity of the existing 33/11 KV

HT stations, which will improve the quality of power supply.

101. Under ‘Mukhyamantri Roshni Yojana’, 12 thousand

765 eligible poor families have been provided free electricity

connection. Under this scheme, 5 thousand additional

families will be given connection in 2022-23.

102. Our Government is committed to 100 percent

replacement of wooden poles in the distribution network.

In 2022-23, this work will be completed by replacing about

20 thousand wooden poles with steel poles.

dqN ugha gksxk vUèksjksa dks cqjk dgus ls]

vius fgLls dk nh;k [kqn gh tykuk gksxkA

103. Recently announced Power policy lays emphasis on

making Himachal Pradesh a Green Energy State by 2030. My

Government has set a target to encourage construction of

pump storage projects on a large scale.

104. Hydro Power Projects with the capacity of 1,000 MW

will be dedicated to people of the State in 2022-23. The work

on 4 new Hydel Projects Sai Kothi-1 (15 MW), Devi Kothi (16

MW), Sai Kothi-II (16.5 MW) and Hel (18 MW) will be started

in 2022-23. The construction of these projects will be done

with the help of Germany’s Development Bank KfW.

105. In 2021-22, HPPTCL has completed several transmission

lines at a cost of about Rs.360 crore. In 2022-23, HPPTCL has

set a target to complete construction of 7 Extra High Voltage

(EHV) sub-stations. In addition, 5 transmission lines with a

length of 231 circuit kilometre and a Joint Control Centre

will be completed at Kunihar. Rs. 645 crore will be spent on

these 13 projects.

106. French Development Agency (AFD) has agreed to

finance the Chanju-III and the Deothal-Chanju Hydro Electric

Projects. A Credit Facility Agreement (CFA) of Rs. 800 crore

has been signed between AFD and the Government of India.

34

The tender process of both the projects will be completed

soon. The construction work on both the projects will start

in 2022-23.

107. To improve availability and quality of electricity in Spiti,

a joint venture between HP Electricity Board Limited and

Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) is setting up

a 2 MW capacity Solar Power Plant with 1 MWh battery

storage system at Kaza, which will be commissioned in

2022-23.

108. To take Grid Connected Roof Top Solar Energy to the

masses and to achieve the Green Energy targets, I am happy

to increase the present subsidy amount from Rs. 4,000 to

Rs.6,000 per KW on these plants. This subsidy will be payable

to domestic consumers.

109. Speaker Sir, our State has a unique position in the field

of solar power generation in the country and has a big

potential. With an investment of Rs.600 crore, SJVNL will

establish solar power plants with a capacity of 150 MW in

2022-23. These projects will generate additional employment

opportunities for the youth and this will be a major initiative

in the solar energy sector.

110. Speaker Sir, I would like to inform this August House

that our Government has provided 8 lakh 35 thousand

drinking water supply connections under ‘Jal Jeevan Mission

(JJM)’. In comparison, only 7 lakh 63 thousand drinking water

supply connections had been provided in the last 72 years.

Till January 2022, out of 17 lakh 28 thousand rural

households, 15 lakh 89 thousand families have been provided

drinking water connections. By the end of 2022, domestic

tap connections will be given to all rural households. About

Rs. 1,500 crore will be spent under this programme in

2021-22. I am also happy to share that Himachal Pradesh is

a first State in the entire country which has availed

4th instalment under JJM during 2021-22.

111. After providing drinking water connections to all rural

households under ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’, our Government aims

Jal Shakti

35

to provide reliable drinking water supply to these households.

With the help of Sensor based technology, information on

availability and supply of drinking water will be made

available on Real Time Basis to all the stakeholders.

lkspus ls dgk¡ feyrs gSa]

reékvksa ds ‘kgjA

pyuk Hkh t:jh gS]

efUt+y ikus ds fy,AA

112. Speaker Sir, only 45 percent of the created Culturable

Command Area (CCA) was being utilized at the time when

I presented the budget of 2018-19. Due to concerted efforts

of our Government, by the end of December 2021, about

51 percent of the created CCA was being used. Out of the

existing potential for creation of CCA on 3.35 lakh hectare in

the State, a CCA of 1.87 lakh hectare has been created. An

additional 9 thousand hectare of CCA will be added and

Command Area Development (CAD) will be done in

6,500 hectare of CCA in 2022-23.

113. At present, the action plans for irrigation sector are

being implemented as per the Master Plan prepared in the

decade of 80s. A new Master Plan will be prepared for the

State using GIS so that effective irrigation facilities are made

available to farmers at the earliest.

114. I announce to dedicate the following five big drinking

water schemes to the public during 2022-23:-

 Kol Dam lift drinking water supply scheme for AIIMS

Bilaspur and Hydro Engineer College at a cost of

Rs.65 crore.

 Drinking water supply scheme for Torkhola and

other villages at a cost of Rs. 110 crore.

 Drinking water augmentation scheme for 19

Panchayats of Seraj and Balichowki at a cost of Rs.

121 crore.

 Drinking water supply scheme for different villages

of Kamlah and Mandap at a cost of Rs. 147 crore.

36

 Augmentation of drinking water supply schemes in

Salooni, Manjir, Sundai etc. in Dalhousie at a cost

of Rs. 56 crore.

About 1 lakh 25 thousand people will be benefited

from these five schemes.

115. The following 4 Lift Irrigation Schemes will be dedicated

to the public in 2022-23:-

 Lift irrigation scheme for Jaribradha in Bhunter at

a cost of Rs. 6 crore 11 lakh, under which 256 hectare

land will be irrigated.

 Lift irrigation scheme for Gindaur, Banogi, Babeli

and Sari group of villages of Gram Panchayat

Bandrol of Kullu at a cost of Rs. 9 crore 97 lakh, to

cover 417 hectare of land.

 Lift irrigation scheme for Reri Mashgan, Kullu at a

cost of Rs. 2 crore 31 lakh to irrigate 93 hectare of

land.

 Lift irrigation scheme for Gram Panchayat Sikwari

at a cost of Rs. 2 crore 88 lakh, to irrigate

120 hectare of land.

116. Following sewage schemes will be dedicated to the

public in 2022-23:—

 Sewage scheme for Kala Amb at a cost of

Rs. 20 crore 90 lakh.

 Sewage scheme for Trilokpur-Khairi at a cost of

Rs. 14 crore 51 lakh.

 Sewage Scheme for Parwanoo Zone-I at a cost of

Rs. 13 crore 88 lakh.

 Sewage scheme for Theog area at a cost of

Rs. 4 crore 23 lakh.

 Sewage scheme for Kotkhai area at a cost of

Rs. 2 crore 81 lakh.

 Sewage scheme for Mehatpur at a cost of

Rs. 2 crore 45 lakh.

37

 Sewage scheme for Sunni at a cost of

Rs. 2 crore 11 lakh.

117. A State Level Water Testing Laboratory will be set up in

2022-23, which will have the facility to conduct 70 types of

tests as per the Uniform Drinking Water Quality Monitoring

Protocol of the Government of India.

Speaker Sir, prudent management of water resources

will only help them last in the long run. I would like to say:

ikuh gw¡] ty gw¡] uhj gw¡ eSa]

eq>s ;w¡ u O;FkZ cgk;k djksA

cu iM+s ftruk Hkh rqels]

eq>s mruk gh rqe cpk;k djksAA

Rs. 2 thousand 772 crore has been provided for Jal

Shakti during 2022-23.

118. Speaker Sir, there are about 39 thousand kilometre long

motorable roads, out of which, about 32 thousand kilometre

of roads are metalled in the State. The number of Gram

Panchayats has increased to 3 thousand 615 as a result of

re-organization of Panchayats during last year. Out of these,

3 thousand 556 Panchayats are connected with road. Out of

the remaining 59 Panchayats, 20 will be connected with road

in 2022-23.

119. 1 thousand 500 kilometre roads will be constructed

under Pradhan Mantra Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in

2022-23 of which, 300 Kilometre will be new roads and

1 thousand 200 kilometre existing road length will be

upgraded. 23 bridges will be constructed under this scheme.

Cross drainage will be done for 315 kilometre road length

and 22 habitations will be connected with road. A proposal

for construction of 45 roads with a length of 440 kilometre

has been sent to Government of India under PMGSY-III. An

outlay of Rs. 552 crore has been proposed for these 45 roads.

Remaining DPRs will also be sent to the Government of India

by June, 2023, for approval.

Roads &

Bridges

38

120. At present, there is 2 thousand 592 kilometre of

National Highway Road length, out of which, 1 thousand

238 kilometre of National Highways are with Public Works

Department. During 2022-23, periodic maintenance work will

be carried out on 110 kilometre road length of National

Highways with an outlay of around Rs. 700 crore.

121. A target of 180 kilometre new roads, 235 Kilometre

cross drainage, metalling of 395 kilometre roads and

construction of 25 bridges has been fixed for 2022-23 under

RIDF of NABARD.

122. Identified Black Spots will be made safe on 60 kilometre

roads in 2022-23 so as to minimize possibility of accidents at

these identified places.

123. Speaker Sir, time has come to change the working style

of the department. Following policy interventions are

proposed for 2022-23:—

 I announce to reduce the present time limit of 5

and 6 years for periodical maintenance of roads,

connecting important tourist places, to 3 years, so

that more tourists are attracted to these places.

Rs.350 crore will be spent for this purpose.

 At least 20 percent maintenance budget will be

spent to fill potholes after Defect Liability Period.

 I announce that wherever relaying of roads is

required during repair or upgradation, extirpation

will be done using modern techniques. Extirpated

material will be recycled and used in order to

reduce time and cost of the work.

 Geo-synthetic material technique will be used to

enhance age and quality of roads.

 A new effective material Calcium Chloride Brine will

be used to minimize skidding and accident of

vehicles during snowfall.

39

 Work relating to Cross-Drainage and Culverts with

an outlay of Rs.25 crore will be done under the

Himachal Pradesh Road Upgradation Program.

124. Speaker Sir, I wish to compare the progress made by

the previous Government and the present Government with

some facts. Our Government, during the 4 years of its present

tenure itself, has constructed 33 kilometre additional jeepable

road length, 660 kilometre more motorable roads,

1,008 kilometre additional metalled roads and 13 more

bridges than the construction done during the five year

period of the previous Government. Continuing with the same

commitment, the targets fixed for 2022-23 are summarized

as below:—

 Construction of 1,060 Kilometre long motorable

roads.

 Metalling of 2,065 Kilometre roads.

 Cross drainage on 990 Kilometre roads.

 Construction of 75 bridges.

 Connecting 20 Panchayats, 80 villages and

22 habitations with road.

 Periodic maintenance of 2 thousand 200 Kilometre

roads.

125. With the achievement of these targets, motorable road

length in the State will be more than 40 thousand kilometre

and metalled road length will increase to 34 thousand

kilometre.

bl unh dh /kkj ls B.Mh gok vkrh rks gS]

bl vU/ksjs ls bd lM+d ml Hkksj rd tkrh rks gSA

Rs. 4 thousand 373 crore has been provided for Roads

and Bridges during 2022-23.

40

126. Speaker Sir, ‘Mukhyamantri Swavalamban Yojana’ has

emerged as a popular scheme for employment generation.

Under this scheme, over 5 thousand cases have been

approved by the banks with an investment of Rs. 457 crore.

8 thousand youth have got employment in 2 thousand 800

enterprises under the scheme. I announce to increase the

subsidy to 35 percent for all women and to 30 percent to

Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Divyangjan

beneficiaries, under the scheme. To provide developed plots

to the beneficiaries under the scheme, “Mukhyamantri

Swavlamban Park” will be established in district Kangra on a

pilot basis, in which plots and sheds up to 250 square meters

will be developed.

127. Speaker Sir, the ‘Industrial Investment Policy-2019’ has

been very favourable for industrial development, especially

for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. I am happy to

extend this scheme from December, 2022 to December, 2025.

128. ‘Medical Device Park’ at Nalagarh has been approved

by the Union Government in favour of Himachal Pradesh.

Work will start on this Park in 2022-23. With its development,

the country’s dependence on imports will be reduced and

an investment of Rs. 5,000 crore will be made with the

employment potential of 10 thousand people. Rs.332 crore

will be spent by the Government on the Park.

129. To increase the income of about 12 thousand farmers

associated with silk production, the schemes of Central Silk

Board will be effectively implemented through convergence.

130. Speaker Sir, Our Government has successfully simplified

tax structure in the transport sector. In 2022-23, these taxes

will be rationalized keeping in view the tax structure of

neighbouring States.

131. To reduce roads accidents and for vehicular and

passenger safety, every RTO will be provided with Interceptor

Electric Vehicles equipped with Alcohol Sensor, Speed Radar,

Industries/

Private

Investment

Transport

41

Crash Investigation Lab and e-Challan system. Body Worn

Cameras will also be made available for officials in these

vehicles.

132. Almost all services except Learner’s License are being

made available online through E-transport system by our

Government. In 2022-23, this facility will also be integrated

in the E-transport system.

133. Speaker Sir, the criteria set for passing of roads built in

rural areas will be reviewed and separate guidelines for small

four wheelers and small buses will be issued.

134. Presently, there are no guidelines for registration of

ambulances. Amendments will be made in the relevant

provisions so that ambulances are registered so to ensure

their periodic maintenance on the basis of established

parameters.

135. 220 new buses will be added in the fleet of HRTC in

April, 2022. In 2022-23, additional 200 new buses will be

purchased, out of which 50 small electric buses will be

purchased under Smart City Mission.

eqf’dysa fdruh Hkh gksa lkeus gekjs]

fgEer gks rks jkLrk t+:j fudyrk gSA

tks [kqn is ;dhu djds vkxs c<+rs gSa]

muds lkFk gh ;g t+ekuk pyrk gSAA

136. After completing construction of 7 bus stands in

2021-22, construction work on 8 more bus stands in Theog,

Bhanjradoo, Barchwad, Haripur Dehra, Thunag, Bangana,

Nadaun and Janjehli will also be completed in 2022-23.

137. I had informed this August House in my last budget

speech that NITI Aayog had selected the State as a ‘Light

House State’ for framing an Electric Vehicles Policy. I am happy

to inform that the State Government has approved the

Electric Vehicle Policy, 2021. To boost this sector, an Electric

42

Vehicles and EV Component Manufacturing Park will be set

up in the State, with the assistance of Government of India.

138. Speaker Sir, our Government has made strenuous

efforts to get approved the Asian Development Bank assisted

Rs. 2 thousand 95 crore Project for Development of Tourism

Infrastructure in the State. This project will be implemented

in two phases at the cost of Rs. 1 thousand crore and

Rs. 1 thousand 95 crore, respectively. Beautification of towns,

conservation of heritage buildings, construction of heliports,

eco-tourism, water sports Wellness Centres, Buddhist Circuits,

tourism infrastructure, training of youth etc. will be

undertaken in both phases of the project. In 2022-23, the

Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) would be prepared and

tenders will be invited for the same. These will include

Convention Centre at Dharamshala, beautification of

Palampur, Shiv Dham Phase-II, beautification of Baba Balak

Nath temple, Wellness Centre at Jhatingri, Kalpa, Renuka Ji

etc.

139. In the last 4 years, our Government has initiated several

new efforts in the tourism sector. I announce completion of

following works in 2022-23:-

 Convention Centre at Kiarighat.

 Light and sound show at Town Hall, Shimla.

 Upgradation of Food & Craft Institute (FCI)

Dharamsala to Institute of Hotel Management (IHM)

level

140. In 2022-23, Rs. 50 crore will be spent under the ‘Nai

Rahein Nai Manzilen’ scheme. Shiv Dham in Mandi, Water

Sports in Larji and Tattapani, Paragliding in Bir Billing and

Chanshal will be covered under the scheme.

141. Speaker Sir, to attract more domestic and foreign

tourists to the State, new initiatives will be undertaken with

Tourism

43

the participation of the private sector, which include the

following:—

 Promotion of caravan tourism for new tourist

destinations.

 Linking traditional Kathkuni style architecture sites

to various tourist circuits.

 Linking Art Gallery in Kangra with tourist circuit.

 To propagate historical heritage, develop historical

forts of the State as tourist attractions.

 Develop mountain biking tracks.

142. The ‘Interest Subvention Scheme’ for entrepreneurs in

the tourism sector will be continued in 2022-23.

lcdh rdnhj cnyuh gS] jkg fn[kkuh gS rq>sA

gkFkksa dh ydhjksa rd ugha] muls vkxs tkuk gS rq>sAA

143. Speaker Sir, a target to attain 30 percent forest cover in

the State by 2030 has been fixed under the Sustainable

Development Goals Framework. Plantations will be done on

15 thousand hectare in 2022-23, to achieve the target.

144. 20 Nature trails based on Himalayan Flora and Foliage

will be developed to promote Eco-tourism.

145. Check dams are being constructed at 125 places at a

cost of Rs.25 crore to stop soil degradation and retain

moisture. In 2022-23, it is proposed to develop these

reservoirs from the point of view of promoting Eco Tourism.

146. Chir Pine Forests provide limited economic value to

local communities. In 2022-23, chir forest on 50 hectare would

be replaced with broad leaf species with community

participation. These would provide fodder for animals and

will help in reducing incidence of forest fires and check land

degradation.

Forest

Conservation

and Forest Based

Livelihoods

44

147. The forest department will undertake the following

works under the ongoing three Externally Aided Projects:-

 Livelihoods related and developmental activities

would be undertaken in 260 Panchayats in 6 districts

viz. Bilaspur, Kinnaur, Kullu, Lahaul Spiti, Mandi and

Shimla at a cost of Rs. 50 crore.

 Water conservation and management works worth

Rs. 100 crore would be initiated in 428 Gram

Panchayats.

 150 Water Recharge Zones would be improved using

springshed approach at a cost of Rs. 40 crore in

Kangra and Chamba districts. Lantana will be

removed from 500 hectare land using Cut Root

Stock (CRS) technique and useful and viable species

will be planted on this land.

148. In 2022-23, 63 lakh man-days will be generated through

afforestation, soil conservation, water storage and Eco

tourism works of the department at a cost of Rs. 200 crore.

149. Speaker Sir, in the 26th Climate Change Summit

(COP-26) at Glasgow, held under the auspices of the United

Nations, Hon’ble Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi had given

the ‘Mantra’ of ‘Panchamrit’. He outlined India’s commitment

to take its non-fossil fuel capacity to 50 GW and meet

50 percent of its energy requirements from renewable energy

by 2030. Our Government will make all efforts to ensure that

100 percent of its energy requirement is met through

renewable energy and green energy. This will make Himachal

Pradesh the first Green State and also with this certification,

the goods manufactured within the State will fetch good

prices in the national and international markets. Speaker Sir,

our Government will try to achieve this target at an early

date.

150. It is proposed to initiate a Green-e-Mobility Programme

for Shimla-Solan National Highway with bilateral external

funding. The programme envisages a Transport Management

Environment,

Science and

Technology

45

system with focus on Charging Station Network and E-battery

replacement.

151. To tackle Plastic Waste menace effectively and to have

a robust value chain management, an Extended Producer

Responsibility Help Desk would be established.

152. I take this opportunity to inform this August House

that a Rain Water Harvesting Policy would be prepared with

the assistance of GIZ, an Institution of German Government,

in 2022-23. Demonstration Models based on the policy would

be developed to assist 1,000 small and marginal farmers.

153. Local Products like Red Rice, Kinnaur apple, Sepubadi

of Mandi, Himachali cap, Sirmaur Loiya, Himachali Dham,

Thachi (Mandi) Metal craft, Himachali Musical Instruments

and Kinnaur Jewellery would be registered under the

Geographical Indication Act, 1999.

154. An Integrated Solid Waste Management online

monitoring portal will be developed in 2022-23, which will

ensure effective monitoring of the applications and early

approvals thereof.

155. New Regional Offices of Himachal Pradesh Pollution

Control Board will be established in Mandi and Una to

improve the efficacy of Board operations. The Laboratories

of the Board at Shimla and Paonta Sahib will be accredited

with National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration

Laboratories (NABL) to improve quality in testing.

156. 14 new Monitoring Stations will be set up in 2022-23

on various rivers and their tributaries to monitor their water

quality.

Speaker Sir, I wish to share the following quote of the

eminent Australian environmentalist Robert James Brown

wherein he has explained the significance of Green Growth.

ßHkfo”; ;k rks gjk gksxk ;k rks ugha gksxkÞ

46

157. Speaker Sir, there is a huge potential for using drones

in the fields of health, forest conservation, land survey,

agriculture and horticulture, disaster management, mining

etc. I announce to start a new scheme “Governance and

Reforms Using Drones (GARUD)” based on four pillars namely

– Drone-enabled Governance, Drone Mahotsav and Melas,

Enabling framework for Promoting Drones and Drone Flying

Training Schools.

158. Four Flying Schools will be set up in Himachal for drone

training in 2022-23. Government officials and the youth of

the Pradesh will get training in these schools which would

help create employment opportunities.

159. In 2022-23, following steps will be taken to make

Governance more effective:-

 All beneficiaries in aabadi-deh areas will be

conferred with the land ownership under

‘Swamitva’ scheme started in Hamirpur district on

a pilot basis.

 The number of services being provided through edistrict

portal will be increased from 96 to 150.

 A digital library will be established with online

availability of study material to facilitate students

preparing for competitive exams.

 Voucher based e-RUPI services will be introduced

to check pilferage in implementation of various

Government schemes.

 Trekkers Information Portal will be developed to

provide better facilities to trekkers and to ensure

their safety.

 WiFi hotspots will be set up in 10 public places

comprising health institutions and tourist places.

Digitization

47

 Litigation Monitoring System (LMS) will be

integrated with the online portal of Himachal

Pradesh High Court so that the updated status of

cases can be viewed through LMS portal.

 Family Register Database will be updated for

effective implementation of Government schemes.

 The process of providing relief to needy and affected

persons will be automated with the help of a

website and a mobile App, for quick disbursal of

financial assistance from the Relief Fund.

160. I announce to upgrade the existing State Data Centre

to meet the increasing digitization demand of Government

schemes. Rs.38 crore will be spent on this.

mudk ;gh gS nkok fd lwjt mUgha dk gS]

esjh ;g ft+n gS fd lcdks ,d gh /kwi feysA

161. Speaker Sir, National Generic Document System is being

implemented in all districts of the Pradesh. This system will

be integrated with Treasury and Land Records under the One

Nation – One Registration System, announced in 2022-23

Union Budget to make it more robust and user friendly.

162. Landslide Early Warning System will be started in

Kinnaur with the help of Geological Survey of India (GSI).

Subsequently, this system will be started in other sensitive

districts also in a phased manner. A detailed project report

will be sent to National Disaster Management Authority for

funding.

163. Under the ‘Aapda Mitra Scheme’ of the Government of

India, 1 thousand 500 Saamudayik Swayamsevaks will be

trained.

164. Covid-19 adversely affected both national and the

Pradesh economy. The tax revenues of the State too were

adversely affected. Due to efforts of the Pradesh Government

and with removal of lockdown restrictions, there has been

Revenue and

Disaster

Management

Revenue

Resources

48

buoyancy in tax revenue which is a positive sign. We estimate

a 15 percent increase in tax revenues in 2022-23 against the

2021-22 estimates, which will be an important resource to

take the Pradesh on the path of all round progress.

165. Speaker Sir, to curb ill-effects and misuse of drugs, the

enforcement function of the Excise Department will be

strengthened by providing necessary force.

166. For effective implementation of Himachal Pradesh

Integrated Nasha Nivaran and Drugs Policy and related

activities, a Nasha Nivaran Cell will be established in the

State Taxes and Excise Department to ensure better

coordination between various Departments, Boards and

Institutions.

167. Keeping in view the success and popularity of ‘Tax Haat’

announced by our Government, I announce creation of GST

Training Cell to simplify and strengthen the GST collection

system. Departmental officers and officials will be imparted

training through this Cell.

168. An IT based dedicated system will be provided in the

State Taxes and Excise Department to facilitate tax payers.

This will help dealers and business community with respect

to GST compliances.

169. I announce to start a mobile app to verify quality of

liquor in order to stop repetition of recent hooch tragedy.

Valid source of liquor can be known by scanning the hologram

on the bottle through this mobile app.

170. To promote the cause of Gausewa, additional cess of

Re.1 will be levied on each bottle of liquor sold.

171. Speaker Sir, learning from the COVID experience our

Government will organize online employment fairs. In

2022-23, 9 job fairs and 120 campus interviews will be

conducted. The digitization of registration in all the

employment offices will also be completed.

State Taxes and

Excise

Labour &

Employment

49

172. Speaker Sir, I announce setting up of a Command and

Control Centre in each district headquarters to trace and

prevent crimes. Effective surveillance will be done through

these centres using CCTV and Integrated Traffic Management

System. These centres will help to prevent illegal mining,

reduce liquor smuggling and drug trafficking and boost

surveillance in border areas. Rs.7 crore will be spent for this.

173. Presently, there is only one cyber police station at the

Police Headquarters, Shimla to deal with cyber crimes.

I announce to open two cyber crime police stations at the

Range Headquarters in Dharamshala and Mandi.

174. Speaker Sir, my Government had introduced last year

‘Himachal Pradesh Loktantra Prahari Samman Rashi’ for the

persons who were detained in prisons and police stations

for political and social reasons under the MISA/DIR/CrPC

during the emergency. Samman Rashi is being granted at the

rate of Rs. 8 thousand per month to the persons detained or

imprisoned for one to fifteen days and Rs. 12 thousand for

those detained for more than 15 days. I announce to increase

this rashi to Rs. 12 thousand and Rs. 20 thousand,

respectively.

175. Rs. 50 crore will be spent to improve infrastructure of

Police Housing, Police Posts, Police Stations, other Police

infrastructure including training facilities, State Disaster

Response Forces facilities and for the purchase of modern

equipment.

176. I am happy to announce opening of 4 new Fire Sub

Stations and upgradation of 5 Fire Posts to the level of Sub

Fire Stations to provide quick assistance in case of fire

accidents in the far flung areas of the State.

177. I announce to provide daily allowance for Home Guards

while on tour outside district and State. I also announce

increase in the rank allowance of various officers and

employees of Home Guard Department.

Home & Law

and order

50

178. Speaker Sir, India is celebrating Azadi ka Amrit

Mahotsva on completion of 75 years of independence. We

have shortlisted 75 villages with distinct features in the State.

A big plan will be rolled out to bring these villages on the

cultural map of the country. This will bring rich heritage of

these villages and State to the knowledge of country and

world. Small documentaries, books and other advertising

material will be brought out highlighting cultural, historical

and natural features of these villages.

179. The Government had announced cultural policy in
180. I announce establishment of a Cultural Fund of

Rs. 2 crore in order to achieve announced targets under this

policy.

180. I announce to start ‘Lata Mangeshkar Music College’

in the State as a tribute to ‘Swar Kokila’.

181. A ‘Lata Mangeshkar Smriti Rajya Samman’ will be

started as a tribute to Swar Kokila Bharat Rattan Lata

Mangeshkar Ji. This award will be given for contribution in

the field of folk singing every year.

182. Renovation work of Bantony Castle at Shimla is in final

stages. It will very soon be dedicated to the public as a special

tourist attraction to showcase history, art and culture of

Shimla town.

183. A detailed plan has been prepared to re-establish

submerged temples in Gobind Sagar Lake in Bilaspur. This

plan with an outlay of Rs.1400 crore will be sent to

International Agencies for funding.

tc rd laL—fr gS rc rd vkl gS]

fcuk laL—fr ds ekuo dk fouk’k gSAA

184. Construction work of multipurpose cultural centre at

Kullu with an outlay of around Rs. 20 crore is complete. The

cultural centre in Una has been dedicated to the public.

Construction work of other centres at Bilaspur, Mandi and

Language, Art

& Culture

51

Solan is in final stages. These will be completed in 2022-23

with an outlay of Rs.22 crore. The work on Cultural Centres

in Chamba and Nahan will also be speeded up.

185. The State Government, with the assistance of the

Culture Ministry, Government of India will set up, ‘Bhartiya

Bodh Darshan Sansthan’ at a cost of Rs. 100 crore in Tabo,

Spiti. 7.87 hectare land has been transferred for the Sansthan.

The construction will start in 2022-23.

186. Speaker Sir, I announce constitution of a State level

committee to explore possibilities for establishing a State

Sports Institute to encourage sports.

187. A three tier sports Mahakumbh will be organized in

the State with the active cooperation of MPs and MLAs.

Cricket, Kabaddi, Athletics, Volleyball, Basketball and

Wrestling competitions will be organized to identify sports

talent at grass root level.

188. I announce to dedicate following indoor and outdoor

sports complexes in 2022-23 to public:-

 Pre-fabricated multipurpose hall in Nurpur.

 Indoor stadium in Janjheli.

 Multipurpose hall in Government College Bangana.

 Hockey Astroturf Field in Majra (Sirmaur).

 8 lane 400 meter Synthetic Track at Sarswatinagar.

 Construction of Indoor Stadium at Tandakholi,

District Kangra with a cost of Rs.10 crore will

commence.

Expenditure of Rs. 20 crore will be made on these works.

189. The capacity of the Voluntary Youth clubs and the

youth will be enhanced to encourage talent. Three best Yuva

Mandals will be felicitated annually by awarding the cash

prize of Rs. 51 thousand, Rs.31 thousand and Rs. 21 thousand,

respectively.

Youth and

Sports Services

52

190. Speaker Sir, I gladly announce to increase diet money

given to youth participating in sports competitions at various

levels and in sports camps from Rs. 120 to Rs. 240 per day

in case of participation within State and from Rs. 200 to

Rs. 400 per day in case of participation outside the State.

191. Speaker Sir, considerable tribal population resides

outside the tribal areas. I announce that an Action Plan will

be drawn up for the welfare of this population living outside

tribal areas.

192. Government of India has announced the Vibrant

Villages Programme for integrated development of border

regions of the North. We will prepare an effective Action

Plan for development of the border areas of the State for

approval of the Government of India in 2022-23.

193. Speaker Sir, Himachal Pradesh has very limited scope

for expanding transportation facilities due to its land locked

hilly terrain. Our Government, with the assistance of

Government of India, has made strenuous efforts to change

this scenario in the last few years. I would like to extend

sincerest of my thanks to the Government of India, through

this August House for allocating Rs.1 thousand 868 crore

for Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri rail line, Rs. 335 crore for Nangal

Talwara rail line and Rs.450 crore for Baddi-Chandigarh rail

line in the Union Budget of 2022-23. These allocations will

speed up construction of above rail lines. Our Government

is fully committed to provide State’s share.

194. With the efforts of our Government, Railway Ministry

will prepare DPR of the Paonta Sahib-Jagadhari rail line after

its survey. In addition, Government of India and Himachal

Pradesh will take steps to determine the cost sharing of the

Una-Hamirpur rail line.

195. The ‘Parvatmala-National Ropeways Development

Programme’ announced in the Union Budget 2022-23 will

Tribal

Development

Alternative

transportation

53

be beneficial for Himachal Pradesh. Under this programme,

ropeways construction with private participation will become

a viable alternative to road transport, which will facilitate

tourism and regular traffic. Our Government will sign a

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government

of India for construction of 4 ropeways in the State. I am

grateful for the Government of India for this innovative

initiative.

196. Due to the efforts of our Government, NABARD and

Government of India have accorded approval to ropeway

construction under NABARD funded Rural Infrastructure

Development Fund (RIDF). A detailed plan will be prepared

for construction of ropeways under this window. The under

construction Baglamukhi ropeway will be dedicated to the

public in 2022-23.

197. Speaker Sir, it is due to the continuous efforts of our

Government that Airports Authority of India has given

technical clearance for a Greenfield Airport at Balh. This

Airport will have facilities and equipment for night landing

and also for landing of large planes like the Airbus 320. After

signing the MoU with the Airport Authority of India, the land

acquisition process will be started soon.

198. Rs. 2 thousand crore will be spent in the Budget for

alternative transport modes in 2022-23.

199. Speaker Sir, in 2020-21 budget, I had announced the

launch of ‘Swarna Jayanti Ashray Yojana’ to dispose off all

the eligible applications of Scheduled Caste category for

housing assistance. Reiterating my Government’s resolve to

construct houses for all eligible Scheduled Caste persons, I

am happy to inform the August House that 22 thousand

beneficiaries including other categories have been covered

under various housing schemes in last 2 years on which

Rs.300 crore have been spent. These include beneficiaries in

tribal areas and Scheduled Tribes living outside tribal areas.

Housing

54

200. To implement my announcement, 12 thousand 769

beneficiaries will be provided housing in 2022-23. The scheme

wise target is as follows:—

 1 thousand 533 houses under ‘Mukhyamantri

Awaas Yojana’.

 1 thousand 262 houses under ‘Pradhan Mantri

Awaas Yojana (Rural)’.

 2 thousand 346 houses under ‘Pradhan Mantri

Awaas Yojana (Urban)’.

 7 thousand 628 houses under Swaran Jayanti Ashray

Yojana to clear pending applications.

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201. Our Government has been committed to fill-up

functional posts in various departments. Necessary steps in

this direction will be taken next year also. These include

different posts in Health Department as Specialist Doctors,

Doctors, Nurses, Radiographers, OT Assistants, Lab

Technicians, Dental Hygienists, Pharmacists, MRI Technicians,

ECG Technicians and other Technicians, new positions of 780

Asha Workers, 437 Asha Facilitators and 870 Community

Health Officers. 264 posts under National Health Mission will

also be filled up. Process to fill up adequate posts of faculty

Doctors and other categories will be started in new Medical

Colleges at Hamirpur, Nahan, Chamba and Nerchowk.

202. In addition, functional posts in various departments

will be filled up. Para Fitters, Pump Operators and Multi Task

Part Time Workers etc in Jal Shakti Department will be

recruited. Various posts of Teachers in Education department,

Police Constables, Technical posts of Lineman and Junior TMate

in HPSEB, Drivers and Conductors in HRTC, posts in

Revenue Department, Doctors and other staff of Animal

Husbandry department, staff for Urban Local Bodies, posts

Recruitments

55

of Panchayat Secretary, Technical Assistant and Gram Rozgar

Sahayak in Panchayati Raj department, Clerks, JOA (IT) in

various departments, Teachers and Instructors of Technical

Education Department and class-IV employees in various

departments will be filled up. In the coming year, the

recruitment of Multitask Workers in Education and PWD will

be completed. Recruitment of Home Guards has not taken

place for several years. Our Government has decided to

undertake necessary recruitment of Home Guards in the

coming year. Employment opportunities for 30 thousand

persons will be created in 2022-23.

203. Speaker Sir, welfare of the employees has been a

priority for my Government. I announce to provide

Rs. 37 crore for maintenance and Rs. 35 crore for construction

of Government houses in 2022-23.

204. Government of India has started the ‘Atal Pension

Yojana’ for workers in the unorganised sectors under which

a guaranteed pension of up to Rs. 5,000 per month, after

the age of 60 years, is assured, depending on the person’s

contribution amount. Presently, under this scheme more than

1 lakh people are associated in the State. State Government

will provide Government contribution of Rs. 15 crore to

workers, housewives, farmers, horticulturists, traders and selfemployed

youth subscribers in 2021-22. The Government is

presently providing a contribution of up to Rs. 2 thousand

per annum under this scheme.

205. Our Government will ensure that all the para workers

of various departments are also linked to this scheme in the

coming year. I am happy to increase the State Government

co-contribution limit from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 3,000 per annum

to encourage such persons in the unorganised sector to

subscribe to the Atal Pension Yojana and also announce the

extension of Government contribution under the Yojana to

existing and new beneficiaries till 31-03-2023, which will

benefit over 1.5 lakh persons. This will provide a boost to

Employee

welfare/

unorganised

workers

56

the efforts of the State Government to achieve the cherished

goal of Universal Social Security.

206. The issues of outsourced workers in certain cases have

been taken seriously by my Government. According to my

earlier budget announcement, the Government has shared

a model tender with all the departments in the month of

December. According to this model tender, it has been made

mandatory to give a pay slip to each outsourced worker. In

this pay slip, the service provider will have to give in writing

all deductions like EPF etc. Our Government will ensure

compliance of these guidelines through the Labour

Department. I have announced impressive increase for daily

wagers in every budget which has benefitted outsourced

workers equally.

207. Para workers along with employees of various

departments, have made significant contribution in the

development journey of the State. During COVID period, they

have rendered services in line with the Government Policy

and initiatives. Our Government is fully committed towards

their welfare and has increased their honorarium

significantly in the four budgets. Following is my proposal

for 2022-23:—

 With an increase of Rs. 1,700 per month, Anganwari

Workers will get Rs. 9,000 per month honorarium.

With this, the total increase during the tenure of

this Government will be Rs. 4,550 per month.

 With an increase of Rs. 900 per month, Mini

Anganwari Workers will get Rs. 6,100 per month

honorarium. With this, the total increase during

the tenure of this Government will be Rs.3,100 per

month.

 With an increase of Rs. 900 per month, Anganwari

Sahayikas will get Rs. 4,700 per month honorarium.

With this, the total increase during the tenure of

this Government will be Rs. 2,600 per month.

57

 With an increase of Rs. 1,825 per month, Asha

Workers will get Rs. 4,700 per month honorarium.

With this, the total increase during the tenure of

this Government will be Rs. 3,700 per month. In

addition to this, the Asha Workers will also get

contribution made by the Government of India and

other incentives.

 With an increase of Rs. 900 per month, Silai Teachers

will get Rs. 7,950 per month honorarium. With this,

the total increase during the tenure of this

Government will be Rs. 1,650 per month.

 With an increase of Rs. 900 per month, Mid-Day

Meal Workers will get Rs. 3,500 per month

honorarium. With this, the total increase during the

tenure of this Government will be Rs. 2,000 per

month.

 With an increase of Rs. 900 per month, Jal Rakshak

(Education Department) will get Rs. 3,900 per month

honorarium. With this, the total increase during the

tenure of this Government will be Rs. 2,000 per

month.

 With an increase of Rs. 900 per month, Water

Guards will get Rs. 4,500 per month honorarium.

With this, the total increase during the tenure of

this Government will be Rs. 2,800 per month.

 With the increase of Rs. 900 per month, the recently

appointed Multi-Purpose Workers of Jal Shakti

Vibhag will get Rs. 3,900 per month.

 With an increase of Rs. 900 per month, Para Fitters

and Pump Operators will get Rs. 5,500 per month

honorarium. With this, the total increase during the

tenure of this Government will be Rs. 2,500 per

month.

58

 ‘6Ce`Daily wagers will get Rs. 350 per day with an

increase of Rs. 50. With the increase of Rs. 150 per

day by our Government in its tenure, the Daily

Wagers have got a total increase of Rs. 140 per day

i.e. Rs. 4,200 per month.