MSP for milk hiked in Himachal budget
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presented the annual Budget of Rs 58,444 crore for 2024-25 with focus on the agriculture sector, and announced an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for milk. He announced hike in the MSP of cow milk from Rs 38 to Rs 45 per litre and buffalo milk from Rs 47 to Rs 55 per litre, making Himachal Pradesh the first state to raise MSP on milk.
Team RuralVoice
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presented the annual Budget of Rs 58,444 crore for 2024-25 with focus on the agriculture sector, and announced an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for milk.
This was the second state Budget, presented by Sukhu, who also holds the finance portfolio.
He announced hike in the MSP of cow milk from Rs 38 to Rs 45 per litre and buffalo milk from Rs 47 to Rs 55 per litre. Himachal Pradesh is the first state to fix MSP on milk.
He said liabilities of all milk cooperative societies will be waived and Rs 150 crore will be spent on strengthening infrastructure for milk procurement and its processing.
The state's fiscal deficit is Rs 10,784 crore, which is 4.75 per cent of state domestic product, while the size of the annual Budget is Rs 58,444 crore, the government said.
Sukhu said of every Rs 100, Rs 28 will be used for development works, Rs 25 on salaries, Rs 17 on pensions, Rs 11 on interest payment, Rs 9 on loan repayment and Rs 10 on grants to autonomous institutions.
He also announced 4 per cent DA from April 1, 2024 which will put a financial burden of Rs 580 crore on the state exchequer. The CM unveiled Rajiv Gandhi Prakriyat Kheti Yojna, under which 36,000 farmers -- 10 farmers from every panchayat -- will be trained in natural farming techniques.
Sukhu further said universal cartons will be introduced for apple packaging and horticulture tourism will be encouraged. He reiterated the state government's resolve to make Himachal Pradesh a green state by 2026.
