Shimla: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday outlined an ambitious roadmap to strengthen Himachal Pradesh’s economy, industry, and digital governance, announcing a series of policy initiatives, infrastructure projects, and youth-centric programs during his address.
Presenting the budget, Chief Minister said it was a matter of pride that Himachal Pradesh has been ranked among the top-performing states in the country in the latest Startup Ranking conducted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Building on this achievement, the state government will introduce a new industrial policy and roll out special initiatives in the coming financial year to boost investment and entrepreneurship.
Highlighting reforms, Sukhu said the single-window system introduced by the government reflects its commitment to transparency, efficiency, and investor-friendly governance. He added that time-bound clearances and simplified approvals will further improve the ease of doing business in the state.
In a push for startups and MSMEs, the government plans to strengthen the startup ecosystem and generate employment opportunities for youth. A district-level product promotion initiative will be launched to encourage environment-friendly and locally viable industries, with each district promoting three key products.
To address infrastructure gaps, the Chief Minister announced a mission with a proposed outlay of ₹200 crore, aimed at boosting rural employment and strengthening industrial support systems. He also proposed to provide industrial training to 10,000 youth through the Industries Department in the coming year.
Sukhu emphasized the growing role of technology, stating that Himachal will establish a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence and promote IT and IT-enabled services. A “Silicon City”-like IT hub is proposed in the state, along with incentives for green data centres, which will be provided renewable energy at concessional rates.
The government will also encourage global capability centres in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, data science, and advanced engineering, opening up national and international opportunities for professionals and startups.
On governance reforms, the Chief Minister highlighted the success of the Him Parivar project, under which a unique family ID has been issued to over 19 lakh families. He said all government databases will be integrated with this platform, enabling single sign-on services and ensuring targeted delivery of subsidies and welfare schemes.
To strengthen e-governance, the state will deploy AI-enabled systems for decision support, document management, and citizen services. A state cyber security operations centre will also be established to tackle emerging cyber threats.
In the education and digital sectors, Sukhu announced plans for a central digital library and learning management system, along with voice-enabled citizen service platforms to improve access in local languages.
Focusing on urban development, the Chief Minister unveiled plans to develop modern townships near key locations, including areas adjoining Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Kangra. These townships, spread over large land parcels, aim to reduce pressure on existing cities, boost tourism, and generate significant employment.
To promote sports and tackle drug abuse, the government will launch the “Kheloge Himachal – Chitta Mukt Abhiyan”, targeting youth between 15 and 30 years. The campaign will include district and state-level sports competitions in games like volleyball and कबड्डी, with participation expected from around 50,000 youth.
Sukhu said these initiatives are aimed at ensuring balanced regional development, रोजगार सृजन, and a sustainable economic future for Himachal Pradesh, positioning the state as a preferred destination for investment, tourism, and quality living.
