Answer: (c)

• Under the Himachal Pradesh Ceiling on Land Holding Act, 1972, the daughter of a family will be made a separate unit to give them the right to own land.

Renewable energy (budget highlights):

• The youth of the state will be provided 40% subsidy to set up solar power projects on their own/leased land.
• The state government will formulate a policy to attract private sector investment for hydro power.
• The Himachal Pradesh Power Sector Development Programme will be launched to set up solar power projects, sub-stations, and distribution lines.
• Private bus and truck operators will be given subsidy to purchase e-buses and e-trucks.

Answer: (a)

• The Gross State Domestic Product(GSDP) of Himachal Pradesh for 2023-24 (at current prices) is projected to be Rs 2.14 lakh crore, amounting to growth of 10% over 2022-23.

Answer: (d)

Answer: (d)

• Total revenue receipts for 2023-24 are estimated to be Rs 38,000 crore, a decrease of 2% from the revised estimate of 2022-23.
• Of this, Rs 16,473 crore (43%) will be raised by the state through its own resources, and Rs 21,527 crore (57%) will come from the centre.  
• Resources from the centre will be in the form of state’s share in central taxes (22% of revenue receipts) and grants (34% of revenue receipts).

Answer: (a)

State’s own revenue:

• Himachal Pradesh’stotal own tax revenue is estimated to be Rs 13,026 crore in 2023-24, an increase of 20% over the revised estimate of 2022-23.
• A higher own tax revenue (OTR) as % of GSDP indicates a better ability to harvest taxes from the economic activities in the state.
• Tax collection depends on a number of factors including income level, structure of the economy, tax rates, and tax administration.
• In 2022-23, Himachal Pradesh’s OTR as % of GSDP is estimated at 5.6% at the revised stage, lower than the average for all states (6.7%).
• In 2023-24, the OTR as % of GSDP ratio is estimated at 6.1%

Answer: (b)

• Himachal Pradesh has allocated 18.9% of its total expenditure towards education, which is higher than the average allocation for education by states (14.8%).

Answer: (c)

• Himachal Pradesh has allocated 7.4% of its expenditure towards roads and bridges.
• This is higher than the average allocation towards roads and bridges by states (4.5%).

Answer: (c)

• Government will take effective steps to develop Himachal Pradesh as a ‘Green Energy State’ by 31st March, 2026.
• Measures will be taken for exploitation of solar energy, in addition to hydropower to meet this objective.
• A target of starting new solar energy projects with capacity of 500 MW has been set in 2023-24.
• 2 Panchayats in each district of the State will be developed as Green Panchayats on a pilot basis.
• Solar power projects with capacity ranging from 500 KW to 1 MW capacity will be set up in these Panchayats.
• A Pangisolar power based “Battery Energy Storage System Project” will be set up in to strengthen its power supply system.

Answer: (b)

• Himachal Pradesh Power Sector Development Programme” costing Rs.2,000 crore will be launched with the help of the World Bank.
• Under this, there is a provision to construct solar power projects with a capacity of 200 MW and to construct 11 sub-stations and 2 distribution lines serving 13 towns of the State.
• The discussions for signing the project and loan agreements with the World Bank are in the final stages and MoU will be signed soon.

Answer: (a)

• Construction of Mandi Airport and expansion of Kangra Airport are pending for a long time due to delay in land acquisition.
• The Fifteenth Finance Commission has recommended Rs.1,000 crore for Mandi Airport and Rs.400 crore for Kangra Airport.
• The Social Impact Assessment (SIA) survey of both the Airports will be completed soon and the acquisition process will be started immediately thereafter.

Answer: (d)

• The Government is developing Heliports at Rampur, Baddi, Kanganidhar (Mandi) and SASE (Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment), Manali.
• Heli-Taxi services will be operationalized soon from Sanjauli and Baddi Heliports. Heliports will be constructed/ developed in Hamirpur, Kangra, Chamba, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Una district to ensure that they remain connected with air transport throughout the year.
• Rs.30 crore will be spent on construction and development of these Heliports during 2023-24.

Answer: (b)

• Kangra district will be developed as “Tourism Capital” of Himachal Pradesh with the objective of decongesting other popular tourist destinations.
• A comprehensive Action Plan will be prepared for this.

Answer: (d)

• The H.P. budget 2023-24 announced to set up a large zoo in Bankhandi in Kangra district at a total cost of Rs.300 crore which will boost tourism.
• This zoo will be constructed in three phases, in an area of 180 hectare.

Answer: (d)

• A comprehensive tourism development scheme has been prepared at a cost of Rs.1,311 crore with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
• Under this scheme, an amount of Rs.390 crore will be spent in Kangra, Rs.257 crore in Hamirpur, Rs.229 crore in Kullu, Rs.123 crore in Shimla and Rs.138 crore in Mandi and Rs.174 crore will be spent in other districts.
• The facilities like electric buses, water sports, theme parks, wayside amenities, high end food courts, beautification of heritage sites, eco tourism etc. will be provided at the selected places in these districts.
• These also include development of Shiv Dham in Mandi, ice skating and roller skating rinks in Manali, upgradation of Ice skating rink, Shimla to ensure its usage for both winter and summer games etc.

Answer: (d)

• The Government’s priority would be to develop tourism sector by providing employment to the local youth in this sector.
• For this, a “Centre of Excellence” in tourism and hospitality sectors is being set up at Waknaghat at estimated cost of Rs.68 crore under the ‘Himachal Pradesh Skill Development Programme’.
• Its construction will be completed by the end of 2023.
• In the next financial year, skilling courses having maximum demand in tourism and hospitality sectors will be started.