Economic Survey of Himachal Pradesh 2016-17+ 2015-16

(All Important Points at One Place)

 (extremely important for HAS, NT & HPSAS=Pre+Mains) 

(All Important Points at One Place)

1)General Overview

• The  economy  of  the  State  is expected  to  achieve  a  growth  rate  of   6.8 percent  in  the  current  financial year 2016-17 and it was 8.1 for the year 2015-16

• GSDP  At  current prices, is estimated  at `1,13,667  crore  in  2015-16 & at constant prices (2011-12)  it is `96,289 crore

• Per capita income at current  prices in  2015-16 is  `1,35,621  &  at constant (2011-12) prices  `1,13,447 

• 7.5  percent  during  the  previous year.  The  increase  in  total  State Domestic  Product  is  mainly  attributed  to 12.3  percent  in  Community  &  Personal Services  sectors,  11.0  percent  in manufacturing  sector,  9.2  percent increase  in  Electricity,  Gas  &  Water Supply, 8.6  percent  increase  in Transport  and  Trade,     7.5  percent  in Finance  &  Real  estate.  Whereas  the Primary  sector  has  shown  a  marginal increase  of  0.7  percent.  Food-grains production,  which  was  16.08  lakh  MT during  2014-15  has  increased  to  16.34 lakh  MT  during  2015-16  and  is  targeted at     16.45  lakh  MT  in  2016-17.  The  fruit production  has  increased  by  23.5 percent  i.e  from  7.52  lakh  MT  in      2014-15  to  9.29  lakh  MT  in  2015-16  and during  2016-17  (up  to  December,  2016) production  was  5.10  lakh  MT. 

•  Primary sector, which includes Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Mining and Quarrying, during 2015-16, witnessed growth rate of 0.7 percent.  

• The Secondary sector, which comprises Manufacturing, Construction and Electricity, Gas and Water Supply registered a growth of 9.3 percent  during 2015-16. As compared to the last year’s performance in these sectors the Manufacturing sector has shown an higher growth in this year. 

• The  Tertiary  sector  registered a growth of 9.5 percent  during 2015-16. 

• Share in  GSDP  in 2014-15 : primary sector 15.9 %,  (agriculture 9.4 percent).  The Secondary sector 41.1 & Tertiary sector 43 %.Transport the component of the tertiary sector has shown the highest growth of this sector i,e.21.8 percent

• For the year 2015-16 (BE) the total revenue receipts were estimated  at   23,535    crore. Sales tax of 3,937 crore constitute a major portion  i.e. 38.65  percent  of break-up of the State’s Own Taxes   

• Working Class Consumer Price Index number during 2016-17 increased  by 3.4 percent  in December, 2016 as against 2.2 percent at National level. 

• The annual plan for     2017-18 has been proposed at    `5,700.00 crore which will be  9.6 percent higher than the plan size of current year 2016-17.  

• Himachal Pradesh is the first state in the country to launch e-samadhan for redressal of public grievances. 

• Under the skill development scheme the eligible criteria for the age group16-35 years is 8th pass and an amount of 1,000 is being provided. 

• Under Tea Development scheme Scheduled Caste tea planters are provided 50 percent subsidy on agriculture inputs

• The State has been adjudged best State in Education and inclusive growth in the country. 

• Himachal has been declared second State  under Open Defecation. 

• Under Smart City Mission Municipal Corporation Dharmashala has been approved by Government of India. 

• A  new  scheme  of  Mukhya  Mantri Awaas  Yojana  has  been  started in  the  current  financial  year  for the general category BPL families.  The  unit  cost  of  this scheme  is  `1,30,000/- 

• There are 54 urban local bodies including Shimla and Dharamshala Municipal Corporation

• The are 12 Zila  Parishads,  78  Panchayat  Samities and  3,226  Gram  Panchayats  constituted in  this  State. 

• To  improve  the  quality  education two  govt.,  Sr.  Sec.  Schools  have been  designated  as  Aadrash Model Schools in Constituency  of  each  district. 

• A  programm  named  Prayas    for the  popularisation  and  innovation in Science  and  Math    was launched  for  students  of  6  to  8 class.   

• 10  L.E.D  bulbs  are  being provided  to  domestic  consumers  at  cheaper rate  from market.

• To save and promote agriculture activities from the menace of stray animals, wild animals and monkeys the government has introduced the “Mukhya Mantri Khet Sarkasan Yojna” under 60:40 ratio. 

• Under  Rajiv  Awas  Yojna  503 dwelling units were constructed. 

• Under  Rajiv  Gandhi  Digital Vidyarthi  Yojna  the  student  of  10th &  12th  have  been  provided  10,000 Notebooks. 

• Child  Protection Units  have  been  set  up  in  the four  distrcts  i.e.  Shimla,  Mandi, Kangra  and  Chamba.

• To  provide  financial  assistance and  support  services  to  Rape victims  an  amount  of  75,000  is being  provided 

• 25  percent  exemption  in  bus  fare for  woman  in  road  transport  has been  started. 

• Free  education  is  being  provided to  girl  students  in  the  State  upto University  level.   

• Under  Matri  Shakti  Bima  Yojna  all  women  in  the  age  group  of   10-75  years,  living  below  poverty line  are  covered  in  case  of  their death  or  disability.

• HIMSWAN is providing various G2G, G2C, G2B, e-Procurement and e-Samadhan services. 

• 13  New  cities  of  the  State  came under notified  area  committee. 

• Dharamshala  is  declared  Second Municipal  Corporation  of  the State. 

• Under “Public Service Guarantee Act” 119 services  in 20  departments has been   implemented  for  efficient    and  timely   solutions.

• Steel  Authority  of  India Ltd.  has  entrusted  SAIL  Yard  at Bhattakuffar  for  the  supply  of  quality steel  to  various  Govt.  Departments. 

• The Disaster Recovery Center set up at Paonta Sahib, is functional.

2)Agriculture & Farmers 

• Agriculture provides direct employment to about 62 percent of total workers of the State.
• The state has been nominated for the best State under Krishi Karmanya Award 2014-15
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna,  launched during 12th five year plan, aims at achieving 4 percent annual growth in the agriculture sector.
• One mobile soil testing lab has been set up at Palampur in Kangra District. 
• A  modernised  market complex  at  Solan  is  functional  for marketing  of  agricultural  produce.
• Distribution of land holdings according to 2010-11 Census: Agricultural Census shows that 87.95 percent of the total holdings are of Small and Marginal. About 11.71 percent of holdings are owned by Semi Medium and Medium farmers and only 0.34 percent by large farmers.
• About 80 percent of the total cultivated area in the State is rainfed.  
• Crop  Insurance  Scheme provides comprehensive  risk insurance  against yield  losses  viz  drought,  hail  storm, floods  and  pests  and  disease  etc.    The Agriculture  Insurance  Company  of  India Ltd.  (AIC) is  implementing  the  scheme
• Till  date  about  6.37  lakh Kisan  Credit  Cards  (K.C.C.)  were  issued by  the  various  banks  in  the  State. 
• During 2015-16  against  the  target  of  150  biogas plant,  89  number  of  such  plants  have been installed.

3)Horticulture industry+ (HPMC)

• Apple  is  so  far  the  most important  fruit  crop  of  Himachal Pradesh,  which  constitutes  about  49 percent  of  the  total  area  under  fruit crops  and  about  85  percent    of  the  total fruit  production. 
• To bring diversification in horticulture industry a total area of 393  hectares has been brought under flower cultivation upto 31.12.2015. 
• Two Tissue Culture Laboratories have been established under Model Flower Cultivation Centres at Mahogbagh (Chail, District Solan) and Palampur District Kangra
• “Dr.Y.S.Parmar Kisan Swarozgar Yojna” (Poly house and Micro irrigation inside polyhouse) has been launched with budgetary provision of 100 core.  Under the scheme 85 percent project assistance shall be provided to farmers.  
• The State  Government  has  enhanced subsidy  on  Anti  Hail  Nets  from  50 percent  to  80  percent.
• A  project  on  Apple  rejuvenation  is being  implemented  under  Rashtriya Krishi  Vikas  Yojna  in  which  old  apple orchards  are  being  rejuvenated 
• The  Weather  based  Crop Scheme has been implemented  in  36 blocks  for  Apple, 41 blocks for mangos
• Himachal  Pradesh  Marketing Corporation  (HPMC) a  State  public undertaking  was  established  in  the Pradesh  with  the  objective  of  marketing fresh  fruits  and  vegetables,  processing the  unmarketable  surplus  and  marketing the  processed  products. The Corporation has  been commissioning  of two  CA  Stores  at  Gumma  and Jarol-Tikkar  in  Distt.  Shimla and, has been setting  up  of  one  modern  vegetable pack  house  and  cold  room  at Nadaun  District  Hamirpur and Pack  house with  cold room  for  packing  grading  of  fruits, vegetables,  flowers  and  culinary  herb  at  Ghumarwin  in  District Bilaspur. The fruit  processing plant  at Parwanoo  District  Solan is functional.

4)Animal Husbandry,Poultry  Farming & Fish  Farming +(Milkfed)

• Government  Sheep Breeding  Farms  at  Jeori  (Shimla),  Sarol (Chamba), Tal (Hamirpur), and Karachham  (Kinnaur)  are  supplying improved  sheep  to  the  breeders  of  the State.    One  Ram  centre  at  Nagwain  in District  Mandi  is  also  functioning  where improved  Rams  are  reared  and  supplied to  breeders  for  cross  breeding.
• 9  Sheep  and  wool  Extension Centres  continue  functioning in the state.
• 315  units  of  poultry  chicken were  established during 2014-15. 
• 1  horse  and 1 yak breeding farm  at  Lari  in  Lahaul  and  Spiti  district has  been  established  with  the  objective to  preserve the Spiti  breeds of  horses and yaks.
• To  develop  poultry  sector, Himachal  Pradesh  is running Backyard  Poultry  Farming  scheme  under which 2-3  week  old  chicks  of  coloured  Strain variety  i.e.  Chabro  are  supplied  to  the farmers  of  the  State.These  chicks are  produced  at  the  two  hatcheries  i.e. Nahan  and  Sundernagar. 
• For development  of Pastures  and  Grazing  land,  Sanjhi  Van Yojna has been started.
• The reservoir of Himachal Pradesh has the distinction of highest per hectare fish production in Govind Sagar and highest sale price value of fish catch in Pong Dam in the country. 
• “Backyard  Fish  Farming” (Kitchen  Fish  Ponds)  has  been  started under  which  120  kitchen  fish  ponds  are being  constructed  in  the  State  during current  financial  year. 
• Milkfed is implementing dairy development activities in the State under which surplus milk from the milk producers is collected by village dairy co-operative societies, processed and marketed by H.P. Milkfed. One milk powder plant of 5 MT per day at Duttnagar   in Shimla District and one cattle feed plant of 16 MT per day capacity at Bhor in District Hamirpur has been established and functioning.196 woman Dairy Co-operatives are also functioning.
• Milkfed is manufacturing Nutrimix at ‘Nutrimix Manufacturing Plant’   Chakkar (Mandi) .
• Processing Plants of capacity 5,000 litres per day is being set up at Recong Peo, Nalagarh, and Jangal Beri, district Hamirpur. A new Mineral Mixture  Plant and Urea Molasses Plant are being set up at Bhor, Tehsil Bhoranj, district Hamirpur. A new Compressed Fodder Plant is being set up at Bilaspur.Three Cattle Feed godown has been set up at distirict Bilaspur, Una and Nadaun, District Hamirpur. 
• H.P. Milkfed has installed 97 Bulk Milk Coolers at village level and 174 Automatic Milk Collection Units in different Village Dairy Co-operative societies. 

5)Health

• National   AIDS    Control Programme: During the year 2015-16 up to December, 2015, 99,505 persons screened out of which 282 HIV positive cases were detected.
• Under blood safety programme 15 Blood Banks and 3 Blood Component Separation Units IGMC, Shimla, ZH Mandi and RPGMC Tanda are functioning in the State. One Mobile Blood Bus  with  four  donor  couches is also  functional in  State.
• Three  new  medical  colleges  at Hamirpur,  Chamba  and  Nahan  in Government  sector  has  been  approved by  central  Govt.
• The  separate  Department  of Ayurveda  was  established  in  1984.
• Four herbal gardens at Jogindernagar (Mandi), Neri (Hamirpur),   Dumreda (Shimla) and Jungle Jhalera (Bilaspur) are functioning in the state. 
• The health department has proposed the target of opening  5 New Ayurvedic Health Centres, during the year   2016-17. 

6)Education

• According  to  2011 census  Himachal  Pradesh  has  a literacy  rate  of  82.80 Male/female  literacy  rate  differs considerably  in  the  State  as  against 89.53  per  cent  literacy  rate  for  males  it is  75.93  per  cent  for  females.
• Directorate  of  Primary Education  was  set  up  in  1984  and further  renamed  as  ‘Directorate  of Elementary Education’ in 2005.
• Market Research  Bureau  (IMRB)  and Pratham  a NGO have  also  confirmed  that the  number  of  out  of  school children  in  Himachal  Pradesh  is below  one  percent.  Bilaspur  and Lahaul  Spiti  Districts  have  no  out of  school  children.
• Girls are being imparted skill education along with normal studies in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya(KGBV).Regular training imparted to KGBV hostel wardens and each KGBV is monitored by State and District level monitoring team. There are 10 KGBV functional in Himachal Pradesh (Eight in Chamba District and  one each in Shimla & Sirmour district). 
• Kalpana   Chawla    Chhatravriti Yojna:  Under  this  scheme,  the  top 2,000  top  meritorious  girl  students of  +2  classes  of  all  study  groups are  given  15,000  per  student  per annum.
• Yashwant Gurukul Awas Yojna: In order to provide suitable residential accommodation to the teachers posted in High/Senior Secondary Schools of Tribal and hard areas this scheme has been launched since the year 1999. 
• Model  Schools: The  Government  of  India has  sanctioned  Five  Model  Schools  for Educationally  backward  blocks  of District  Chamba  and  Sirmour.  The  Five  Model  schools  are Khushnagri  and Dand  in Tissa  Block, Bharia  Kothi  in  Mehla  Block, and Hillour  in  Pangi  Block, District  Chamba. Shillai in Shillai block, District  Sirmour.
• Girls  Hostel  in  Educationally Backward  Blocks: The  Centrally  sponsored Scheme  for  the  construction  and running  of  Girls  hostel  for  students  of Secondary  and  Sr.  Secondary  Schools; in  Educationally  Backward  block  is  to strengthen  the  Boarding  and  Hostel facilities  for  Girl  Students  studying  in classes  IX  to  XII.    The  girls  belonging  to SC,  ST,  OBC,  minority  communities  and BPL  families  shall  be  benefited  under this  scheme. The  construction  work  of three girl’s hostels i.e. Himgiri, Mehla(Chamba)  and  Shillai  (Sirmaur) have  been  completed  and  construction work  of  remaining  two  hostels  i.e.  Tissa, and  Sach  are  under  process. Government  of  India  sanctioned Recurring  grant  of  25.00  lakh  for  two Girls  Hostels  Himgiri  (Chamba),  and Shillai (Sirmour). 
• Under central ICT project 5  Smart Schools  have  been approved.
• TECHNICAL  EDUCATION :  National  Institute  of  Fashion Technology  (NIFT)  Kangra,  Indian Institute  of  Managment(IIM),  Sirmour,  Indian Institute of Information Technology,  UNA. 
• One ITI for Physically Handicapped at Sundernagar and 09 Industrial Training Institutes for women are being run by Government in the state.
• The IT department proposes to open a Hydro Engineering College at Bandla in district Bilaspur.

7)Govt. Schemes for disabled people

• The  Physically  disabled persons  who  constitute  the  weaker section  of  society  have  been  provided number  of  facilities/  concession  which include free of cost medical examination  of  the  disabled  persons through the Medical Boards constituted  at  the  State  and  District level,  relaxation  of  age  by  5  years, exemption  for  qualifying  type  test  for those  who  suffer  from  disability  in  the upper  limbs  extremities,  3  percent  reservation  for  appointment  in  Class-III &  Class-IV  posts,  reservation  of  5 percent   seats  in  girls  Industrial Training  Institute  and  Tailoring  Centres and  providing  reservation  against  the specific  points,  in  departmental jobs.
• Welfare  of  Disabled Department  is  implementing Comprehensive  Integrated  Scheme named  “Sahyog”  for  persons  with disabilities  launched  during  the  year 2008-09. 
• Disabled  Scholarship  :  This Scheme  is  applicable  to  all categories  of  disabled  students including hearing impaired persons  having  disability  of  40 percent  or  above  without considering there family income.  The  rate  of  scholarship varies  from  350-750  per  month for  day  scholars  and  1,000 2,000  per  month  for  boarders. 
• Marriage  Grant    to  Individuals Marrying Persons Disabilities: To  encourage  able  bodied  young  men    or  girls to  marry  the  disabled  boy  or  girl having  not  less  than  40  percent  disability and  who  have  attained  the  Marriageable  age,  marriage  grant  40  percent  to  69 percent,  disability  `8,000  and above  70  percent  disability `40,000      provided  by  the    State Government 
• Self  Employment:    Disabled persons  having  disability  of  40 percent  and  above  are  provided loans  by  the  Himachal  Pradesh Minorities Finance and Development  Corporation  for setting up  small  ventures. 
•  Skill  Enrichment:  Vocational rehabilitation  training  to  PWDs through selected ITIs is provided  in  identified  trades.   Training  is  free  of  cost  and stipend  1,000  per  month  is paid 
• Institutions of  Children  with Special  Needs:  Two  institutions at  Dhalli  and  Sundernagar  have been  set  up  in  the  State  for providing education and vocational  rehabilitation  service to  visually  and  hearing  impaired  children.
• In addition to this, State Government  is  providing  grant to  the  Prem  Ashram,  Una, Astha  Welfare  Society,  Nahan to  meet  out  expenditure  on boarding,  lodging  and  education of  50  mentally  retarded  children and  20  mentally  retared  adult.  
• Two disability Rehabilitation Centres has been up  at  Hamirpur  and Dharamshala With  a  view  to  look  after  the orphans, semi-orphans  and destitute children.
• One Motor Driving school at Una has been set for Physically Handicapped.

8)Govt. Schemes for women & Children 

• Model  Home  for  girls  with  the cost  of  616.82  lakh  is  being constructed  at  Mashobra  and  an observation  home  with  the  cost of  204.23  lakh  is  under construction  at  Hiranagar  (Tutu, Shimla) 
• Under the supplementary Nutrition programme, nutrition is provided  in  Anganwari  Centres to  children,  pregnant  /  lactating mothers  and  BPL  adolescent  girls. 
•  Woman  State Home  Mashobra:  The  main  purpose of  the  scheme  is  to  provide shelter, food, education and clothing, vocational training  to  the  young  girls, widows,  deserted,  destitute  and women  who  are  in  moral danger.    At  present  34  women  are living in State  Home, Mashobra.  During  the  year 2015-16,  for  safety  and  security of  inmates  boundary  wall  with the  cost  of  24.57  lakh  has been  constructed  and  CCTV cameras  have  also  been installed  in  the  institution.
• Mukhya  Mantri  Kanyadaan Yojna:    Under  this  programme marriage  grant  of  25,000  is being  given  to  the  guardians  of the  destitute  girls 
• Widow  Re-marriage  Scheme: The  main  objective  of  the scheme is to help in rehabilitation  of  widow  after  remarriage.  Under  this  scheme  an amount  of      50,000  as  grant,  is provided  to  the  couple
• Mother  Teressa  Asahay  Matri Sambal  Yojna:  The  aim  of  this scheme  is  to  provide  assistance of  3,000  per  child  per  annum  to the  destitute  women  belonging  to the  BPL  families  or  having income  less  than  35,000  for the  maintenance  of  their  children till they  attain  the  age  of  18 years
• Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog  Yojana:  Indira  Gandhi Matritva  Sahyog  Yojna  is  being implemented in Hamirpur district.  Main  objective  of  the scheme  is  to  improve  the  health and  nutrition  status  of  pregnant and  lactating  women  of  19 years  &  above  and  their  young infants.   This scheme  was  100  percent central  sponsored  scheme  upto financial  year  2014-15  which  is now  revised  in  90:10  ratio between  Centre  and  State. Under  this  scheme  monetory assistance of 6,000  per beneficiary  is  provided  in  two instalments  i.e.  first  instalment during last trimester of pregnancy  and  second  after  3 months  of  delivery. 
• Mata  Shabri Mahila   Sashaktikaran  Yojna:  Main objective  of  this  scheme  is  to provide  relief  from  drudgery  to women  belonging  to  BPL families  or  those  SC/ST  familes whose  annual  income  is  less than  35,000  by  providing  gas connections.  Under  the  scheme, 50  percent  subsidy,  subject  to  a maximum  of  `1,300  is  given  to eligible  women  for  purchase  of gas connection. 
• Vishesh  Mahila  Utthan  Yojna: State  Government  has  started Vishesh  Mahila  Utthan  Yojna  as 100  percent  State  Plan  Scheme for  training  and  rehabilitation  of women  in  moral  danger  in  the State.  There  is  a  provision  to provide  stipend  3,000  per month  per  trainee  through  the department  of  Women  and Child Development.
• Financial  Assistance   and Support  Services  to  Victims of  Rape  Scheme  2012:  This scheme  has  been  notified  on 22.09.2012  as  100  percent State Plan  Scheme.  The scheme  aims  to  provide financial  assistance  and  support services  such  as  counselling, medical  aid,  legal  assistance, education and vocational training  depending  upon  the needs  of  rape  victims.  An affected  woman  shall  be  entitled to  financial  assistance  and restorative  support/  services adding  upto  a  maximum  amount of 75,000. Additional assistance  of  25,000  can  also be  given  in  special  cases  i.e.  in case  of  rape  of  minors.
• Beti  Hai  Anmol  Yojna  With  a  view  to  change negative  family  and  community  attitude towards  the  girl  child  at  birth  and  to improve  enrolment  and  retention  of  girl children  in  schools,  Beti  Hai  Anmol scheme  is  being  implemented  in  the State  w.e.f.  05.07.2010.  Under  this scheme  Post  Birth  Grant  of  `10,000  is provided  to  two  girls  only  belonging  to BPL  families  and  scholarships  are provided  from  1st  class  to  10+2    classes for their children. 
• Mukhya Mantri Bal Udhar Yojana: With  a  view  to  look  after  the orphans, semi-orphans  and destitute children, the department  is  providing  grantin-aid for running and maintenance  of  Bal  /Balika Ashrams  at different sites in the State.
• Integrated  Child Protection Scheme : Integrated Child Protection Scheme  is  to  contribute  for  the improvement  in  the  well  being  of children in difficult circumstances. Under this scheme two shelters  have  been  set  up  at Baldeyan (Shimla) and Dharamshala.
• Kishori  Shakti  Yojna:Kishori Shakti Yojna (KSY)  is  a  central  sponsored  scheme for  empowerment  of  the  Adolescent Girls  (AGs)  in  the  age  group  of  11-18 years.  The  main  objectives  of  the scheme  are  to  improve  their  nutrition and  health  status,  spread  awareness among  them  about  health,  hygiene, nutrition  Adolescent  Reproductive  and Sexual  Health  (ARSH)  and  family  and child  care,  upgrade  their  home  -  based skills,  life  skills  and  vocational  skills. The  scheme  was  100  percent  central sponsored  scheme  upto  financial  year 2014-15  which  has  been  revised  to 90:10  between  the  centre  and  the  state from  current  financial year 2015-16.
•  For implementation  of  JJ  Act  in  all Districts, Juvenile Boards, Child Justice Welfare Committees  and  District  Level Advisory  Boards  have  been  set up  in  the  State.  Child  Protection Units  have  been  set  up  in  the four  distrcts  i.e.  Shimla,  Mandi, Kangra  and  Chamba. 
• Child helpline  service  bearing  phone  no.  1098 have  been  set  up  in  the  seven districts 

9)Govt. Schemes for SC,ST, OBC & BPL

• Award  for  Inter-caste  Marriage: For  elimination  of  the  practice  of untouchability between Scheduled  Castes  and  non Scheduled  Castes,  the  State Government  encourages  intercaste  marriages under  which an  amount  of 50,000 per  couple  is  given  as  incentive money 
• Housing    Subsidy:  Under  this scheme  the  members  of scheduled  castes,  scheduled tribes and  other  backward classes  are  given  subsidy  of  75,000  per  family  for  house construction  purposes  and  for house  repair  25,000  to  those whose  annual  income  does  not exceed  from  35,000. 
• Training  and  Proficiency  in Computer  Applications  and Allied  Activities:  Under  this scheme  computer  training  are provided  in  the  recognized computer  courses  to  candidates belonging  to  BPL,  SC,  ST  and Minorities  or  those  whose  annual income  is  less  than  60,000. During  the  training  a stipend  of      1,000  per  month  is being  provided. 
• Compensation  to  Victims  of Atrocities on Castes/ Scheduled Scheduled Tribes Families  under  SCs/STs  (POA) Act-1989:  Under  the  rules  of  the above  Act  monetary  relief  is granted  to  those  scheduled castes,  scheduled  tribes  families who  become  victims  of  atrocities committed  by  the  member  of other  communities  due  to  caste consideration,  relief  amounting  to 90,000  to  7.50  lakh  is  provided to  the  victims  of  atrocity,  which depends  upon  the  nature  of atrocity. 
• Follow  up  Programme:  Under this scheme,  implements  and tools,  sewing  machine  costing 1,800  w.e.f.  21.8.2015  per beneficiary are given to scheduled  castes,  scheduled tribes and  other  backward classes  whose  annual  income does  not  exceed  from  `35,000 per  annum. 

10)Industry and Employment 

• There are 138 Large Scale industrial Units, 380 Medium Scale Units and 40194 small scale units in the state.
• Thirteen  silk  yarn  reeling units  have  been  set  up  in  private sector in different districts i.e.  5 in district  Kangra, 5 in district Bilaspur and one  each in Hamirpur,  Mandi  and  Una with  the  assistance  of state Government. 
• Six  Cement  Plants ACC  at Barmana,  Distt.  Bilaspur, Ambuja  Cements  Ltd.  at  Kashlog Distt. Solan, J.P. Industry  at  Baga  Bhalag, CCI  at  Rajban  Distt.  Sirmour are  already  in  operation. The establishment  of  other  three  major cements  plants  at  Sundernagar,  Distt. Mandi  (Harish  Cement  (Grasim), Gumma-Rohana,  Distt.  Shimla  (The India  Cements  Ltd)  Alsindi,  Distt.  Mandi (Lafarge  India  Ltd.)  are  underway and mining  leases  have been  granted  in  their  favour.
• As  per  2011  Census, 30.05  percent  of  the  total  population  of the  Pradesh  is  classified  as  main workers, 21.80  percent  marginal workers  and  the  rest  48.15  percent  as     non-workers  of  the    total      (main+marginal)  57.93  percent  are cultivators and 4.92 agricultural  labourers,  1.65  percent  are engaged  in  household  industry
• The  State  Government  has added  8  new  scheduled  employments  in  addition to existing  11  scheduled employments in Minimum  Wages Act,1948.
• There  are  total  four Guidance  centres  under Labour  and  Employment  Department out  of  which  one  vocational  guidance centre  at  the  Directorate  and  other three are  located  at  Regional Employment  Office  viz  Mandi,  Shimla and  Dharamshala
• The special employment exchange  for  the  placement  of physically  disabled  persons  was  set-up  in  the Directorate  of  Labour  and  Employment during  the  year,1976. 
• The State  Government  has established two  Labour  Courts-cum Tribunals one with headquarter  at  Shimla and other one in Dharamshala.
• The total number of unemployed on Live Registers of all employment exchanges stood at 8, 08,767 on 31.12.2015, out of which highest number of unemployed people are in district Mandi(both in percentage and in numbers)followed by Hamirpur and kullu(only percentage wise)whereas solan has least number of unemployed people followed by Shimla and Kinnaur(only percentage wise).

11)Tourism

• Tourism in Himachal Pradesh  is  being  recognized  as  one  of the  most  important  sectors  of  the economy  and  a  major  engine  of  growth. The  contribution  of  the  tourism  sector  to the  State  GDP  is  7.2  percent.
• To  save  the tourists  from  the  clutches  of  touts Himachal  Pradesh  Prevention  of Touting  and  Malpractices  against Tourist,  Act-2015  is being  processed.
• Second  All India  Open  Catch-n-Release  Trout Angling Championship  and  Oral Interactive  Work  Shop  at  village  Jibhi, Teh  Banjar,  District  Kullu,  Himachal Pradesh,  was  conducted in March, 2015  and  Paragliding  World Cup,  2015  was  organized  at  Bir-Billing.
• Pradesh at present  has  3 airports and 63  operational  helipads.
• Possibility  for  a Green  field  Airport  is  being  explored  at Goghradhar  in  District  Mandi.
• Heli-taxi services are being  operated  during  Mani-Mahesh yatra  only  in  the  State. 
• 5  Govt.  and 66  private  Pollution  Check Centres  are  functioning  in  various places in  the  State. 
• The  pollution  check  Post  at Vashist, Manali has been established  by  the  department  to keep  check  on  the  polluting vehicles.

12)Power projects

• Implementation  of  Smart  Grid Pilot Project at Kala  Amb is in process.
• Renukaji  Dam  project(40MW),  conceived  as  a drinking  water  supply  scheme  for  the National  Capital  Territory  of  Delhi, envisages  construction  of  148  m  high rock  fill  dam  on  river  Giri  at  Dadahu  in Sirmaur  district. It will have 40 MW capacity.
• Thana Plaun 191 MW project  is  contemplated  as Storage-cum-Run-of  River  Scheme  on  river  Beas  in  Mandi district  of  Himachal  Pradesh.
• Berra Dol Solar Photovoltaic plant Project(5MW) is under consideration, a site  for this project has been identified at village Berra Dol, near Shri Naina Devi ji Shrine, District Bilaspur, (H.P.). The state distribution utility viz. Himachal Pradesh Electricity Board Ltd. (HPSEBL) has agreed to purchase power from this project under Renewable Energy Power purchase obligation (RPPO).
• During  the current  financial  year  800  SPV Domestic  Lights  have  provided upto  December,  2015 
• Himurja  is  operating  Micro  Hydel projects  in the state. Bara  Bhangal (40  KW)  and  Sarahan (30  KW)  have been  executed  by  HIMURJA.

13)Information & Communication Technology  (ICT) 

• Under National  e-Governance Plan (NeGP), Department of Information Technology, Himachal Pradesh (DITHP) created secure network called HIMSWAN (Himachal State Wide Area Network). It was set-up on 5.02.2008.It  provides secured network connectivity to all the State Government Departments till block level and used to provide various efficient electronic delivery of G2G (Government to Government), G2C (Government to Citizens) and G2B (Government to Business) services. M/s Orange Business Services is  appointed as HIMSWAN Operator and KPMG is appointed as Third Party Auditor.
• Under National e-Governance Plan (NeGP), Department of Information Technology, Himachal Pradesh (DITHP) has set up  Himachal Pradesh State Data Centre (HPSDC) at  Mehali,  Shimla to provide efficient electronic delivery of G2C (Government to Citizens), G2G (Government to Government) and G2B (Government to Business) services and to create common infrastructure for State Government Offices. 
• Lok  Mitra  Kendra :The  scheme  aims  to establish  3,366  LMKs  (CSC)  at  Gram Panchayat  level  to  act as front  end  delivery  points  for Government,  Private  and  Social  Sector Services  to  rural  citizens  at  their  door steps, using (ICT)  as  tools.  The  LMKs are  acting  as  front  end  delivery  points for  delivery  of  G2C  services  to  the citizen  of  the  State  at  Gram  Panchayat Level. State  Government  is  also implementing  e-District  Project  and  51 services  are  to  be  rolled  out  through  eDistrict   Mission Mode Project  (MMP) and  delivery  of  these services  would  also  be  made  available at  LMKs. LMKs  are  active  and providing  G2C services such  as:-   1) Collection  of  HPSEB  electricity  bill.   2) IPH water bill.   3) Issuance  of  copy  of  Nakal Jamabandi (Land  Records).   4)HRTC Bus  Ticket  Booking   5) e-Aadhar printing 6) Updation  of  demographic  details  in Aadhaar. 7)Jail  Varta-Prisoner  relative  video conferencing  system 8)Farmer portal- Feedback registration
• Himachal is the first state to start DBT in MGNREGA.  
• e-Peshi-Video Conferencing Facility in District Courts: The facility would eliminate the need for taking prisoners to courts and will facilitate faster delivery of justice. Bharti Airtel is the implementing agency to supply & install the VC equipment in the State for the project.
• Under e-District MMP 51 G2C services has been identified. 
• Revenue  Court  Case  Monitoring System  (RCMS):   at  Division,  District,  Sub Division  & Tehsil  level. System  captures  the  routine proceedings  of  revenue  courts,  interim orders  and  Judgments.  The  details  of the  revenue  cases  are  available  online for  the  general  public.    The  citizens  can access  the  status  of  their  cases  online, see  case  list  and  download  interim orders/ judgments.
• Litigation  Monitoring  System: Using this software,  Secretaries/HoDs  can easily  monitor  the  status  of  the  court case. All  Government  Departments  are using  LMS  for  viewing  the  daily status  of  their  cases.   
• Unique ID (Aadhaar) Aadhaar program started in Himachal Pradesh in December, 2010 and since then the State Government has maintained a leading position in terms of Aadhaar generation. More than 70 lakh (96.52 percent) residents in the State have been enrolled.
• e- District: e–District Project is a Mission Mode Project  (MMP), that aims to provide integrated seamless delivery of citizen services by district administration.Under e-District MMP 51 G2C services has been identified.M/s Wipro Ltd has been appointed consultant for e-District MMP.
• e-Office:  e-Office is a product that is aimed at imparting the government functioning through more efficient, effective and transparent manner. Many govt. departments has brought under this project.

14)Initiatives of HRTC

• For the benefit of people HRTC is running the following schemes : Merged Yellow & Green Card Scheme:- Yellow and green card has been merged into new green card. Under this scheme the new green  card  holder  is  allowed  25 percent  discount  in  fare,  if  the journey under taken by passanger  is  of  50  km.                                                                        
• The Corporation  has  introduced  silver card  scheme  w.e.f.  22.09.2015.This card  is having  30  percent  discount  in fare. 
• Women  have  been  allowed  free  travelling facility in HRTC ordinary  buses  on  the  occasion of “Raksha  Bandhan”  and “Bhaiya  Dooj”.  
• Muslim  women have  been  allowed  free  travelling facility  on  occasion  of  “Id”  and “Baker Id”. 
• The corporation  has  also  allowed 25  percent  discount  in  fare  in HRTC  ordinary  buses  within the  State to the  women. 
• The students  of  Government  schools up  to  +2  classes  have  been allowed  free  travelling  facility  in HRTC ordinary  buses. 
• Free  travelling  facility  to    the    person suffering from serious diseases  like cancer,  spinal  injury,  kidney and  dialysis has been provided.
• The  Gallantry  Award winners  have  been  allowed  free travelling  facility  in  HRTC’s  Delux buses,  in  addition  with  ordinary buses within  the  State
• The corporation has introduced 8 tevera vehicles in shimla  for public on sealed roads. 
• 25 fully electric buses (zero emission) will be introduced in the Pradesh. 75 percent amount has been provided by the Government of India for purchases of these buses and 25 percent will be borne by HRTC. Himachal Pradesh will be first State in the India who will ply the zero emission buses. 
• To provide nutritious food at affordable price HIM-ANNAPURNA has been started by HRTC at Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Dharamshala, Palmpur, Mandi and Una.

15)Initiatives of  Central Govt +HP

• AMRUT is a new centrally sponsored scheme. Shimla & Kullu city has been included under the Mission
• Smart City Mission: The Smart City Mission is Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) and one city Dharamshala has been selected under the Mission in the Stage-I competition. 
• Under National Rural Health Mission   95  Health  Institutions are identified  to  provide  24  hours emergency  services. 
• BETI  BACHAO  BETI  PADHAO   has  been  started  in  Una  district  of the  Pradesh  which  has  lowest sex  ratio
• Under National Food security Mission Rice in three Districts and Wheat in nine districts have taken to enhance the production
• The Ministry of Commerce & Industry (DIPP),Govt. of India  has accorded final approval for setting up of  two State of Art Industrial Area at Pandoga District Una and Kandrori District  Kangra under Modified Industrial Infrastructure Up gradation Scheme and 3rd State of the Art Industrial Area will be set up at Dabhota, Tehsil Nalagarh, District Solan
• Ministry of Power, Govt. of India has launched Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) for the electrification of urban households. Under this scheme  12 HPSEBL Circles (54 urban towns as per 2011 census) have been covered In  Himachal Pradesh.

16)NABARD Initiatives+HP

• Cremica  Mega  Food  Park  at Singha,  Una  is  being established by NABARD
• For the  welfare of  farmers, A  Federation  of  Farmers  Clubs has  been  formed by NABARD in  Sirmaur  district  and other  in  Bilaspur  district .
• Seven Watershed projects run by NABARD: 1. Dhundan  Watershed  project  in  District Solan 2. Saryanj  Sarma  watershed  project District  Solan 3. Daseran watershed  project District  Solan. 4. Sidhchaler  watershed project District   Una. 5. Jubehar  watershed  project in district  Una 6. Ambeda Dheraj watershed  District  Una 7. Patwa Khad  watershed  development  project in  District Solan .
• Under Tribal  Development  Fund (TDF), the NABARD through its Regional  Office, Shimla  has  sanctioned  three  projects : 1. Four villages  of  Amb  block viz.  Aloh,  Suhin,  Basuni  &  Dhargujjran in District  Una  2.  project  on traditional  livelihood  for  tribal  families  in Baroti,  Sanehara,  Behri  &  Tihri  villages of  Jhandutta  block  of  district  Bilaspur and 3. project  on  Integrated  Tribal Development  has  been  sanctioned  in Rupi, Chota  Kamba  and  Naptha Panchayats  of  Nichar  Block  of  Kinnaur District. 
• NABARD  is  also  supporting  Swarojgar Credit  Card  (SCC)  Scheme  by  way  of refinance,  for  the  benefit  of  rural  artisans  and other small  entrepreneurs in the state. 
• Dairy Entrepreneurship Development  Scheme  (Doodh  Ganga Scheme)  has  been  launched  in collaboration  with  NABARD  in  the  State since  25th  September,2009.  
• To meet  the  future  challenges  of  climate change  NABARD has  facilitated  the  preparation, development  and  sanction  of  a  project in Sirmaur District.
• Women  Self  Help Groups programme is being implemented  by  NABARD,  through  local NGOs,  in  two  districts  viz.  Mandi and Sirmour
• NABARD will issue the Climate  mapping  and  climate vulnerability  Index  for    District Sirmaur. 

17)Initiatives of world agencies +HP

• Swan  River  Integrated Watershed  Management  Project    with the  assistance  of  Japan  International Cooperation  Agency  (JICA)  is being implemented in  Una District. 
• Sawra  Kuddu hydro power project (111 MW) a run-of- the-river scheme on the Pabbar River   in Shimla District (H.P.) near Rohru, is being financed by ADB ( Asian Development Bank)
• Under  the  ADB  funded project,  Community  Based  Tourism Activities  in  Villages  including  Skill Development,  Training  etc.  are  being  undertaken  in  4  Clusters,  namely Dhameta,  Kangra-Pragpur,  Naina  Devi and  Shimla.
• World  Bank  Aided  Mid  Himalaya Watershed  Development program has  been  launched  in  the  State    to  reverse the  process  of  degradation  of  the  natural resource w.e.f.  1.10.2005. 
• Jawahar Lal Nehru, Government Engineering College, Sundernagar: This Engineering College has been selected under World Bank funded project namely Technical Education Quality. 
• HP  Forest  Eco-system  Climate Proofing  Project is being run with the help of    Federal  Republic  Bank of  Germany  for  a  period  of  7  years  in  Kangra and  Chamba  district. 

18)Sanitation Programmes 

• Swachh  Bharat  Mission is  being implemented  in  all  the  12  districts of  the  State  in  project  mode  and Himachal  is  considered  as  a leading  State  in  the  field  of Sanitation. 
• Maharishi Valmiki Sampooran Swachhata Puruskar (MVSSP)  .To boost the sanitation campaign in the State a State Reward Scheme i.e. Maharishi Valmiki Sampooran Swachhata Puruskar was  launched by the State Government in the year 2007-08 under which cleanest Gram Panchayats in each Block/District/Division and  State level are being rewarded. 
• Mahila- Mandal Protsahan Yojna:  In order to encourage the Mahila Mandals in Sanitation activities, the Mahila Mandals Protsahan Yojana of the Social Welfare Department has been fully integrated with the sanitation campaign in the State. As per the existing guidelines of the Schemes, Mahila Mandals which have made efforts in achieving the Open Defecation free (ODF) status and its sustainability in their village shall be rewarded. 

19)Other Important Facts

• Himachal Pradesh State Civil Supplies Corporation (HPSCSC) has opened one LPG Agency  at Kullu during the year 2015-16 in public interest. The Corporation has initiated proposal of opening ‘APNA STORE / MALL’ in the identified HRTC’s bus stands in the State.  These APNA STORE/ MALL have been made functional at Bus stand Nagrota Bagwan and Palampur in the first phase, and in the second phase efforts are being made for opening APNA STORE / MALL in Mandi and Shimla Bus stand.
• Ministry of Housing, Government of Himachal Pradesh through Housing & Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA) is constructing Houses, Flats and developing plots of various categories, so as to meet the housing demand of the people of various income groups. 
• On an average Kangra district gets the highest rainfall followed by Sirmaur, Mandi and Chamba. During Manson season 2015 Una was the only district which showed increase in rainfall.
•  In  the  1st  Phase,  the  Mahatama Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment Guarantee  Scheme  (MNREGAS)  was introduced  in  District  Chamba  and Sirmaur.  In  second  phase  MNREGA was  started  in  District  kangra  and  Mandi w.e.f.    1.04.2007
• Forests in Himachal Pradesh  cover  an  area  of  37,033  square kilo  meters  and  form  about  66.52 percent  of  the  total  geographical  area  of the  State
• There are only two narrow gauge railway lines connecting Shimla with Kalka (96 Km.) and Jogindernagar with Pathankot (113 Km.)   and  one     33 Km. broad gauge railway line from Nangal   Dam to  Charuru in District Una.
• The UCO  Bank  is  the  Convener  Bank  of State  Level  Bankers  Committee (SLBC). 
• The  Punjab  National Bank  has  the  largest  number of  299 branches.

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