Shimla: Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday presented the state budget for the financial year 2026–27, with a total outlay of Rs 54,928 crore. The budget reflects a reduction of Rs 3,568 crore compared to the previous year, primarily due to the discontinuation of the revenue deficit grant (RDG) and the state’s increasing debt burden.Presenting his fourth budget—spanning 136 pages and delivered over four hours—Sukhu, who also holds the finance portfolio, criticised the central govt for halting the RDG. He stated that this decision would result in an average annual loss of Rs 8,105 crore for the state, leading to a projected revenue deficit of Rs 6,577 crore for the upcoming financial cycle.Temporary salary defermentHighlighting the “serious financial situation” facing the state, the chief minister announced a temporary salary deferment for six months across various levels of govt. The deferment includes 50% of the chief minister’s salary, 30% for the deputy chief minister and cabinet ministers, 20% for MLAs, and 20% for chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and political appointee advisors.Among bureaucrats, a 30% deferment will apply to senior officials such as the chief secretary, DGP, head of forest department, additional chief secretaries, ADGPs, principal secretaries, principal and additional chief conservators of forest; 20% to secretaries, all heads of departments, IGPs, DIGs, SSPs, SPs, chief conservator of forests, conservator of forests and DFOs. Also, 3% of the salary of group-A and B officers will be temporarily deferred for next six months.Group C and D employees have been exempted from this measure.Respecting the constitutional independence of the judiciary, the state govt has expressed hope that the high court may consider a voluntary six-month deferment of 20% of salaries for district and additional district judges, along with 3% for Group A and B judicial officers. “It is expected that the Honorable high court, at its discretion, may also consider voluntarily upto 30% deferment of salary at the senior levels,” said Sukhu.Strengthening rural economyOutlining a vision of a prosperous Himachal through “Vyavastha Parivartan” (systemic transformation) in rural economy, Sukhu announced the establishment of the Himachal Pradesh State Farmers’ Commission.To support dairy farmers, the govt will increase the procurement price of cow milk from Rs 51 to Rs 61 per litre and buffalo milk from Rs 61 to Rs 71 per litre starting next financial year.A significant increase has also been announced in the minimum support price(MSP) of turmeric from Rs 90 to Rs 150 per kg, of wheat from Rs 60 to Rs 80 per kg, of maize from Rs 40 to Rs 50 per kg, of barley produced in Pangi valley from Rs 60 to Rs 80 per kg. For the first time in the state, the MSP of ginger has been announced at Rs 30 per kg.The government will provide a subsidy of Rs 5,000 per bigha for seed production. Currently, around 2.23 lakh farmers across 38,455 hectares are engaged in natural farming practices in the state.To protect crops from wild animals, Rs 10 crore has been allocated under the ‘Mukhya Mantri Khet Badhbandi Yojana’. The state also aims to increase forest cover to 32% by 2030 and develop 50 new eco-tourism sites in the coming year.In a move to strengthen the fisheries sector, the chief minister announced the ‘Mukhya Mantri Machhuara Sahayata Yojana’. The scheme sets the MSP for reservoir fish at Rs 100 per kg and reduces the royalty rate on fish caught from reservoirs from 7.5% to 1%, benefiting approximately 6,000 fishermen. Additionally, fishermen will receive a 70% subsidy through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for the purchase of boats.
