Subhechcha Ganguly 
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday presented the ₹58,514-crore budget for 2025-26, prioritizing rural infrastructure, tourism, and green energy. Despite financial constraints, no new taxes have been proposed.
Sukhu highlighted the state’s rising debt burden, which has surged to ₹1,04,729 crore, with ₹29,046 crore borrowed under his government. He criticized the previous BJP-led government for financial mismanagement, stating that 70% of the loans taken in the past two years were used to repay old debts and interest.
The state’s revenue deficit grant (RDG) has decreased significantly from ₹6,258 crore last year to ₹3,257 crore, while the fiscal deficit is estimated at ₹10,338 crore, or 4.04% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The total revenue receipts for 2025-26 are projected at ₹42,343 crore, while total expenditure stands at ₹48,733 crore.
To support farmers, the government has increased milk prices by ₹6 per litre. Sukhu emphasized efforts to make Himachal self-reliant, with a strong push for tourism development. He also urged the Centre to release ₹9,000 crore in post-disaster relief for damages sustained during the 2023 monsoon.
