Shimla, 02.04.25-Chief Minister's Principal Advisor (Media) Naresh Chauhan said here today that Himachal was heading towards becoming self-reliant and the budget presented for the financial year 2025-26 would prove to be a milestone in realizing this resolve. He said that the budget was aimed at taking forward the resolve of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to strengthen the rural economy. The Minimum Support Price (MSP) of maize grown through natural farming has been increased from Rs. 30 to Rs 40 per kg and the MSP of wheat from Rs 40 per kg to Rs 60 per kg. The government has also fixed the MSP for turmeric grown through natural farming at Rs 90 per kg. With the aim of benefiting the cattle rearers, the government has increased the MSP of cow milk from Rs 45 to Rs 51 per liter and the MSP of buffalo milk from Rs 55 to Rs 61 per liter, he said.

Naresh Chauhan said that Rajiv Gandhi Forest Conservation Scheme would be implemented this fiscal. Under the scheme, participation of Mahila and Yuvak Mandals would be ensured to convert the barren lands, green through afforestation to increase the green cover. Every Mahila and Yuvak Mandal would be given an amount of Rs. 6 lakh 40 thousand per group in five years. A budgetary provision of Rs 100 crore has been made for this scheme.

This budget would create a large number of employment and self-employment opportunities for the youth, he said, adding further that along with providing employment opportunities to 25 thousand youth, self-employment opportunities would also be created through initiatives like transportation, operation of electric vehicles and food vans.

Refuting the allegations of Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur regarding the financial help received from the Centre and pertaining to the auction of liquor vends, he said that the Leader of Opposition played with the interests of the State during his tenure. He added that the tenure of the present State Government has been full of achievements. "Instead of cursing the State Government, the Leader of Opposition should raise the interests of the State and its people before the Centre. The Central Government has not released the Post Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) amount of Rs. 9 thousand crores," he said. He added that the fund received by the State from the Centre is the right of the people of Himachal and the Central Government cannot deprive the people of Himachal of their rights.