Balancing Debt and Development: Himachal’s ₹40,461 Crore Supplementary Budget
The Himachal Pradesh government has passed a massive supplementary budget of ₹40,461.95 crore for 2025–26, reflecting both the state’s growing financial pressures and its commitment to welfare and infrastructure.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presented the demands in the Vidhan Sabha, with ₹36,374.61 crore earmarked under state schemes and ₹4,087.34 crore under centrally sponsored schemes. A large chunk—₹26,194.95 crore—will go toward repaying loans and overdrafts, underscoring the mounting debt burden.
At the same time, the budget makes space for relief and progress. ₹4,150.14 crore has been set aside for power subsidies, ₹818.20 crore for disaster relief, and ₹785.22 crore for water supply and sanitation. The health sector will see ₹657.22 crore for schemes like HIMCARE and SAHARA, along with advanced facilities such as robotic surgery in medical colleges and PET scan machines in Tanda and Hamirpur.
Centrally sponsored allocations include ₹2,453.97 crore for disaster management, ₹688.40 crore for rural road projects, and ₹352.18 crore for compensation to Renukaji Dam oustees. Smaller but vital amounts have been directed toward housing, employment schemes, and Ayush initiatives.
The sheer size of the supplementary budget highlights the delicate balance Himachal must strike—servicing debt while still investing in welfare, healthcare, and infrastructure. For residents, it’s a reminder of both the challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead in shaping the state’s future.
