Amidst its efforts to strengthen the economic resources and give a new direction to the state's economy, the Himachal Pradesh government has claimed to earn Rs 400 crore in the next four months by selling electricity to Rajasthan. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu gave this information in a public meeting organized in Churah assembly constituency of Chamba district on Wednesday. He said that the state government has signed an agreement to sell electricity to Rajasthan at the rate of Rs 15.50 per unit. According to the government, this arrangement will generate an income of about Rs 400 crore for the state in the next four months.
The deal comes at a time when Himachal Pradesh is looking for new sources of income amid its financial challenges. In such a situation, the government is presenting the potential earnings from electricity sales as an important step towards resource generation.
Considering Rs 15.50 per unit, how much electricity will be sold?
According to the data disclosed by the Chief Minister, the rate of selling electricity to Rajasthan has been fixed at Rs 15.50 per unit and the estimated income in four months is Rs 400 crore. Based on these two figures, the rough mathematics of the quantity of electricity can also be understood. If Rs 400 crore is divided at the rate of Rs 15.50 per unit, then the sale of electricity comes to about 25.81 crore units. That means a selling price equivalent to approximately 258.1 million units of electricity.
However, this is only a calculation based on the declared rate and estimated earnings. The complete picture of the deal will become clear only when detailed information about the actual power supply quantity, contract terms, sale period, power availability and payment arrangements is revealed.
It is also important to understand an important difference here. The estimated income of Rs 400 crore cannot be directly treated as net profit of Rs 400 crore. Actual economic benefits may vary depending on power generation, purchase or other operating costs, transmission charges, power availability and contract terms.
Also read: Sukhu government will open doors of America for medical students of Himachal
Earning from electricity, great hope amid economic pressure
Himachal Pradesh is an important state from the point of view of hydropower production. The state's rivers and hydropower projects have long been the basis of energy production as well as revenue for the state. In such a situation, selling electricity at a better price can become an opportunity to increase the income of the state. The real success of this deal will be judged not just by the announced sale price, but by how much additional revenue is left with the state after selling the power and how regular this earning becomes.
This potential income from power sale can be considered important among the financial needs of the state government. Nevertheless, to consider it as a source of permanent income, information like availability of electricity, future market price and duration of the sales agreement will also be important.
Advocacy to increase stake in Barasul project also
The Chief Minister said that the State Government is effectively raising the demand of increasing Himachal's share of free power in the 180 MW Barasul Hydroelectric Project to 50 percent after completion of 44 years of operation. This initiative is also being seen as an attempt to get more benefits from the resources of the state. If the state's share increases, it may impact the power available and potential revenue in future. However, the final decision in this regard and the arrangements to be implemented will be important.
401 crores from Wild Flower Hall and now claim of 37 crores annually
Referring to the Wild Flower Hall property located in Shimla, the Chief Minister said that its case was pending since 2003. The state government won it after legal lobbying and the state received an amount of Rs 401 crore. He said that now the state will get revenue of about Rs 37 crore every year through e-auction. According to the Chief Minister, the state had not received any revenue from this property in the last 23 years. Through these examples of increasing income from power sales, participation in hydropower projects and government assets, the government is positioning resource creation as a key part of its economic strategy.
Also read: Rats attack on X-ray machine worth crores, investigation stalled for 8 days in Himachal Pradesh
Attack on corruption and aim of self-reliant Himachal
The Chief Minister said that the state government is taking concrete steps towards making Himachal self-reliant by closing the doors of corruption. He said that despite financial challenges, the government is committed to mobilizing resources and carrying forward works of public interest. He also said that the Central Government has stopped the revenue deficit grant given to the state. Apart from this, the state has not yet received the financial assistance of Rs 1,500 crore announced during the Prime Minister's visit to the state after the natural disaster. In such a situation, the government is faced with the challenge of raising funds for development works and public welfare schemes on the one hand, while on the other hand there is a need to earn maximum income from the available resources.
Gift of four CBSE schools to Churah
In a public meeting held at Bhanjradu Kala Manch in Churah assembly constituency, the Chief Minister announced the affiliation of four government senior secondary schools to CBSE. These include Himgiri, Thalli, Jajjakothi and Marund schools. Apart from this, it was also announced to provide necessary budget for road construction in various panchayats. The Chief Minister said that with the aim of providing quality education to rural students, the state government is working towards opening at least two to three CBSE schools in each assembly constituency. He said that the government is going to open more than 100 new CBSE schools in the state.
According to the Chief Minister, more than 2,700 teachers have been recruited in the state on merit basis. He claimed that due to reforms in the field of education, Himachal reached fifth place in the country in terms of quality education in the year 2025, whereas the state was at 21st place in the year 2021.
Announcement of monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 to women
The Chief Minister said that the state government will start 'Chief Minister's Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojana' from next month. Under the scheme, financial assistance of Rs 1,500 per month will be provided to women from eligible poor families. He said that under the scheme, 300 units of free electricity and free medical facilities will also be provided to the beneficiaries through health insurance cards.
According to the Chief Minister, about 15 thousand women of Churah assembly constituency will benefit from this scheme. The Chief Minister also said that the state government is giving minimum support price of Rs 150 per kg on raw turmeric, Rs 80 per kg on wheat and Rs 50 per kg on maize to strengthen the rural economy. Whereas, support price of Rs 61 per liter for cow milk and Rs 71 per liter for buffalo milk is being provided.
In the public meeting, Congress General Secretary and local senior Congress leader Yashwant Khanna mentioned the developmental needs of the area. On this occasion, MLA Neeraj Nayyar, former minister Asha Kumari, former MLA Surendra Bhardwaj, District Council President Rekha Thakur, State Haj Committee President Dildar Ali Bhatt, Block Congress Committee President Bhupinder Thakur, Prakash Batali and other dignitaries were present.