Himachal targets 9 percent growth (Lead)

March 8th, 2011 - 8:08 pm ICT by IANS  

Shimla, March 8 (IANS) The Himachal Pradesh economy is expected to grow by 9 percent this fiscal, higher than the national estimate of 8.6 percent, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said Tuesday.

“The per capita income is estimated at Rs.58,493 for 2010-11,” Dhumal said quoting the state’s economic survey that was tabled in the assembly.

He said the state had achieved a growth rate of 7.4 percent in 2008-09, which reached 8.1 percent in 2009-10 and is likely to grow by 9 percent in 2010-11.

“The per capita income increased to Rs.50,365 in 2009-10 from Rs.46,019 in 2008-09,” said Dhumal, who also holds the finance portfolio.

However, the growth of primary sector that included agriculture, forestry and mining, was minus 5.7 percent, mainly due to the adverse weather conditions.

But the secondary and tertiary sectors grew by 12.2 percent and 11.6 percent, respectively, the report added.

During 2009-10, food production registered a decline of 17 percent against the previous year.

“The food production was 10.17 lakh tonnes against the production of 12.27 lakh tonnes in 2008-09. However, this fiscal, the production is expected to be 15.80 lakh tonnes,” the survey said.

Fruit production was 9.61 lakh tonnes in 2010-11 (up to December 2010) against 3.82 lakh tonnes in 2009-10.

“Apple constitutes about 93 percent of the total fruit production in the state. During 2010-11, 8.92 lakh tonnes of apples were produced against 2.80 lakh tonnes in 2009-10,” the report said.

Himachal Pradesh’s hydropower generation potential is 23,000 MW - about 25 percent of India’s total hydropower potential. However, only 6,672 MW of power has been tapped in the state.

Twelve projects with a combined generation capacity of 1,125 MW are being executed by the state electricity board, whereas 19 projects with a generation capacity of 1,685 MW are under execution by private companies.

Five mega hydro projects with a combined generation capacity of 2,763 MW are also being executed by the central government and joint ventures.

Also, according to the report, Himachal Pradesh attracted 132.66 lakh tourists in 2010.

“At present, 2,169 hotels with bed capacity of 55,928 are registered with the state,” it added.

The state economy is highly dependent on hydroelectric power, horticulture and tourism.

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