Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to making the hill state a green energy hub and self-reliant economy. Sukhu, virtually addressing the three-day brainstorming event ‘Samriddh Himachal 2045’ from New Delhi, said that his administration is working with a long-term vision to drive sustainable economic growth while preserving the state’s natural resources.
The event, organized at the Dr Manmohan Singh Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration (HIPA), aims to chart a 20-year roadmap for the state’s economic transformation through expert-led discussions and strategic planning. Highlighting the importance of such an initiative, Sukhu said: “Achieving self-reliance and green energy goals requires a well-balanced approach to development. This exercise will help us formulate innovative strategies for the future.”
The Chief Minister outlined key sectors that will shape Himachal’s future, emphasizing renewable energy, rural economic development, and infrastructure improvements. He revealed that the budget for the financial year 2025-26 has been designed with a special focus on strengthening the rural economy, harnessing hydroelectric potential, promoting tourism, and enhancing the state’s education and healthcare systems.
Stressing the state’s vast hydropower potential, Sukhu said that the Congress government is actively working on securing higher royalties from power projects to maximize benefits for the state. Additionally, Himachal Pradesh is making strides in promoting natural farming and dairy development — both of which play a crucial role in making the state self-sufficient. “Vyavastha Parivartan means moving towards a self-sustained and self-reliant Himachal,” he asserted.
The session also featured insights from Sam Pitroda, the internationally acclaimed development thinker and entrepreneur, who joined from the USA. Lauding the State Government’s initiative, Pitroda shared his perspective on achieving holistic development. He expressed keen interest in collaborating with the Himachal government, offering his expertise to drive the state’s growth.
Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena provided an overview of the government’s initiatives over the past two years, detailing policies that have driven growth in energy, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors. Senior officials, department secretaries, and policy experts participated in the session, contributing valuable inputs toward shaping Himachal Pradesh’s future.
