Himachal pegs 7.3% growth this fiscal
SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh state economic survey presented by chief minister Jai Ram Thakur in the Vidhan Sabha on Friday does not paint a rosy picture about the two key sectors—agriculture and tourism.
The economic survey projected a growth rate of 7.3% this fiscal and the per capita income is estimated at ₹1,76,968.
“This is a significant jump from previous year’s growth rate of 6.3%,” the CM said.
As per the economic survey tabled by Jai Ram Thakur in the state assembly on Friday, the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at current prices in 20172018 increased to ₹1,36,542 crores from ₹1,25,122 crores in 2016-17. As per advance estimates, it is likely to be around ₹1,51,835 crores in 2018-19. The state’s economy largely depends on hydroelectricity, horticulture and tourism. The total revenue of ₹4,230.42 crores was mobilised till November, 2018 with state’s credit deposit ratio 47:46.
DOWNSLIDE IN HORTICULTURE, AGRI SECTORS
Fruit and agriculture witnessed a downslide in Himachal this year. The fruit production in the state was 4.06 lakh tonnes in 2018-19 (till December 2017) against 5.65 lakh tonnes in 2017-18.
Apple constitutes around 79% of total fruit production. During 2018-19, 3.60 lakh tonnes of apple were produced in the state against 4.47 lakh tonnes in 2017-18.
Likewise, there was decline in foodgrain production. During 2017-2018, the estimated foodgrain production was 15.31 lakh metric tonnes against the achieved production of 15.63 lakh metric tonnes in 2016-17, therefore a nominal decrease of 2.05%. For this fiscal, the target is 16.69 lakh metric tonnes.
Agriculture sector in the state contributes about 9% to the total Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of Himachal Pradesh and has an important place in the economy of the state. Himachal Pradesh is the only state in the country whose 89.96% population (Census 2011) lives in the rural areas. Therefore, dependency on agriculture and horticulture is imminent as it provides direct employment to about 62% of total workers in the state, the survey stated.
There are 522 medium and large scale industries and around 49,058 small scale industries presently working in the state.
Till December 31, 2018 there were a total of 8,49,981 unemployed people registered in the state employment exchanges. Minimum wages for unskilled category of workers have been increased to ₹225 per day from ₹210.
Himachal’s total hydroelectricity generation potential is 27, 436 megawatt. Till December 2018, only 10,547 MW was harnessed by various agencies.