Reinforcing the commitment of the Congress government to deliver on its electoral guarantees, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday presented his fourth consecutive budget for Himachal Pradesh, placing strong emphasis on rural prosperity, farmer security, and sustainable livelihood generation. The budget reflects a clear attempt by the Indian National Congress-led government to translate its manifesto promises into tangible outcomes on the ground.
One of the most significant announcements in the budget is the decision to constitute a State Farmers Commission, a long-pending demand of the farming community. The Chief Minister said the commission will act as an institutional safeguard for farmers’ interests, ensuring policy support, grievance redressal, and long-term agricultural sustainability in the hill state.
The budget speech highlighted a sharp focus on strengthening the rural economy, particularly by boosting income avenues for farmers and livestock rearers. In a major relief to dairy farmers, the government announced a substantial increase in milk procurement prices. The support price for cow milk has been raised from ₹51 per litre to ₹61 per litre, while buffalo milk will now fetch ₹71 per litre. This move is expected to directly benefit thousands of households dependent on animal husbandry and revive confidence in dairy farming as a stable source of income.
The Chief Minister underlined that this intervention would have a transformative impact in remote hill villages, where livestock rearing forms the backbone of rural livelihoods. By ensuring better returns, the government aims to reverse the declining interest in dairy farming and encourage self-reliance among rural communities.
The fisheries sector also received significant attention in the budget. Sukhu informed the House that around 550 युवाओं have already been provided employment through fisheries-related activities, and the government is committed to expanding opportunities further. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the state announced the launch of the Chief Minister Fishermen Assistance Scheme.
Under this scheme, fishermen will be protected from market volatility through a minimum support price mechanism for reservoir fish. If market prices fall below ₹100 per kilogram, the government will provide a subsidy of up to ₹20 per kilogram directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts through DBT. This measure is expected to provide a safety net to thousands of fishermen and stabilize incomes in the sector.
In another major relief, the government has drastically reduced royalty on fish caught from reservoirs. The royalty, which was earlier brought down from 15 percent to 7.5 percent in the current financial year, will now be slashed further to just 1 percent. This step alone is likely to benefit over 6,000 fishermen across the state.
Recognizing the seasonal nature of fishing and the hardships faced during monsoon bans, the Chief Minister also announced an annual honorarium of ₹3,500 for fishermen families. This support is aimed at cushioning income losses during periods when fishing activities remain suspended.
The broader economic context of the budget was set by the state’s latest economic survey, which indicated a 10 percent rise in per capita income and an expansion of the overall budget size by ₹6,000 crore. These indicators, according to the government, reflect improving economic stability and provide the fiscal space needed to roll out welfare-oriented schemes.
Throughout his address, Sukhu reiterated that his government is steadily delivering on its guarantees and prioritizing inclusive development. From agriculture and dairy to fisheries and rural infrastructure, the budget outlines a multi-sectoral approach aimed at strengthening the grassroots economy.
Politically, the budget also carries a clear message from the Congress leadership in Himachal Pradesh — that governance is being aligned closely with promises made to the जनता. By focusing on farmer welfare, employment generation, and social security measures, the Sukhu government is attempting to consolidate its support base in rural and semi-urban regions.
As the state moves forward, the formation of the Farmers Commission, enhanced MSP for dairy products, and targeted schemes for fishermen are likely to emerge as key pillars of this budget. The coming months will determine how effectively these announcements are implemented on the ground, but the intent to prioritize rural Himachal and fulfill electoral commitments stands clearly reflected in this fourth budget of the Sukhu सरकार.
