Another Think Tank? Himachal’s ‘Vision 2045’—Grand Announcements, Fingers Crossed!
Shimla: The Sukhu government seems to have taken a liking to setting up committees, think tanks, and high-profile panels.
After the much-hyped committee under Tarun Shridhar to revive the sick HPTDC properties—which remains stuck in bureaucratic limbo—the state has now announced another ambitious venture: Himachal 2045 Symposium Series.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the initiative today, calling it a “visionary roadmap” for Himachal’s economic future.
The blueprint, prepared by Manmohan Singh Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration (MSHIPA), aims for sustainable and inclusive growth, balancing economic development with environmental conservation. Lofty words, but will they translate into action?
Why 2045? A Puzzle in Political Visioning
Taking a cue from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat 2047—which envisions India’s transformation by its 100th year of independence—Sukhu has curiously chosen 2045 as Himachal’s milestone year. What makes 2045 special?
The answer remains unclear. In the absence of any concrete reasoning, it appears to be another long-term vision document that risks fading into irrelevance, much like its predecessors.
History is full of such grand plans that never saw the light of day. Successive governments often scrap previous regimes' blueprints, replacing them with their own “visions,” which are then forgotten when power changes hands.
Add to this the rapid shifts in technology, economy, and generational priorities, and these long-term forecasts begin to look more like wishful thinking than practical policy.
Yet Another Panel—Will This One Deliver?
The Himachal 2045 process will unfold in three phases, starting with online engagement, leading up to a grand symposium at MSHIPA from March 22 to 24, 2025.
The final strategic roadmap will be unveiled in June 2025. But if history is any indication, will this exercise actually translate into policy, or is it just another elaborate talk shop?
The government has roped in a mix of former bureaucrats and Congress stalwarts, including Sam Pitroda, Tarun Shridhar, Dr. Ashok Khosla, Dr. Shalini Sareen, Salman Khurshid, and Rajni Bakshi. Additionally, 400 experts across seven sectors—administration, education, industry, tourism, etc.—will be invited in the next phase.
Political Optics Over Real Solutions?
The timing of this initiative raises eyebrows. The state is reeling under a severe financial crisis, with the government struggling to pay salaries, and HPTDC hotels on the verge of collapse due to mounting debt.
Yet, instead of taking decisive action, the Sukhu government has once again resorted to setting up a high-powered panel.
Only a few months ago, the government formed a committee to rescue loss-making HPTDC properties.
But to date, no concrete steps have been taken to revive them. Similarly, a State Health Commission was constituted under the previous Virbhadra Singh government to draft a health policy. That too, faded into oblivion.
In a rapidly changing world, where technology and economic conditions evolve within months, how practical is a 20-year plan?
By 2045, priorities will have shifted, industries will have transformed, and governance models will be unrecognizable.
If the government is serious about Himachal’s future, it must focus on short-term, actionable reforms rather than distant visions that risk becoming irrelevant.
So, will Himachal 2045 meet the same fate as previous forgotten blueprints?
Will this be another grand symposium that fills up conference halls but fails to address the ground realities?
Or will the Sukhu government finally break the trend and ensure that this committee actually delivers results?
For now, the state awaits answers. Until then, fingers crossed.
