Dharamshala: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu claims a 20% improvement in Himachal Pradesh's economy over the last year.

He said this while he laid the foundation stone of a Rs 268 crore Pepsi bottling plant in Kangra.

He said it is  expected to be the district's largest industry, offering over 2,000 employment opportunities.

Making a tall claim, he said the government aims for self-reliance by 2027 and envisions Himachal as the nation's most prosperous state by 2032.

The Chief Minister said that  changes in industrial policy would  boost employment and attract investment, with a focus on upcoming projects in Kangra district.

The Rs 680 crore Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-up Scheme is launched, providing subsidies for e-taxi purchases and promoting solar energy projects.

Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said that Himachal has received 10,000 crore investment influx in the past year, emphasizing Kangra's development as the state's 'Tourism Capital.'

The Chairman of Varun Beverages Limited expresses gratitude for government support in establishing the Pepsi plant, set to be operational in a year.