SHIMLA-12 October, 2025

State’s digital governance drive achieves record milestone, 22.78 lakh services delivered in a year

The present state government’s campaign to digitize public services has emerged as a remarkable success, enabling citizens across the state to conveniently access government facilities from their homes. Through the e-District Portal, a record 22.78 lakh services were delivered to citizens in 2024, the highest number achieved so far.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, digital governance has been a key focus area, with departments across the state actively adopting online service delivery. In 2023, about 14.97 lakh services were provided through the portal, while in 2025, the number has already touched 15 lakh, with expectations of a further increase in the remaining months of the year.

Following the Chief Minister’s directions, the number of online services available on the e-District Portal has seen a significant expansion, from 113 services in 2022 to 436 in 2025, marking nearly a fourfold increase since the present government assumed office. The number rose to 217 in 2023 and 251 in 2024, reflecting the administration’s steady progress toward comprehensive digital governance.

Principal Advisor (IT and Innovation) to the Chief Minister, Gokul Butail, stated that digital services have revolutionised citizen access to government facilities, enabling applications from anywhere and at any time, saving both time and money. These services are also conveniently available through Lok Mitra Kendras across the state. In line with the Chief Minister’s vision, efforts will continue to ensure that every citizen benefits from accessible, transparent, and efficient digital services.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized that all departments have been instructed to adopt paperless, presence-less, and cashless systems. A pilot project initiated in select tehsils of the Revenue Department now enables property registration without the need for a single visit to a government office, a step that has received encouraging public feedback. He added that other departments are being encouraged to expand similar digital initiatives in order to facilitate the people of the state in a better way.

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Feature-State Government’s visionary policies and positive approach empowers horticulture sector

• Apple Season 2025: New chapter of success amid adversities

The year 2025 is being recorded as a golden chapter in the horticultural history of Himachal Pradesh. Despite challenges such as natural calamities, incessant rainfall, landslides, and road blockages, the State Government not only managed to control the situation with its visionary policies, swift decision-making, and sensitive leadership but also took the horticulture sector to new heights.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s positive outlook, transparent administrative approach, and farmer–grower-centric policies have set an example of systemic transformation in the horticulture sector of Himachal Pradesh.

Despite landslides and road disruptions, the 2025 apple season has proven to be the most successful season in Himachal’s history. The State Government and the Horticulture Department worked on a war footing to restore roads, enabling growers to transport their produce to markets on time.

According to the Himachal Pradesh State Agricultural Marketing Board, as of 3^rd October, 2025, a total of 2,60,83,458 apple boxes were traded, compared to 1,82,63,874 boxes in 2024. The data reflects a remarkable 43 percent increase in apple trade this year.

There was an unprecedented demand for Himachal apples in Delhi’s Azadpur Mandi.

A-grade Royal Delicious apples sold for Rs. 2,300 per 20-kg box and Golden Delicious for Rs.1200 per box clear evidence of the superior quality, brand value, and consumer trust associated with Himachal apples. Under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), the HPMC made a record procurement of 83,788 metric tonnes of apples this year one of the largest purchases in the scheme’s history providing much-needed relief to thousands of growers.

Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi stated that the government has given the top priority to the welfare of fruit growers. Prompt restoration of roads, transport facilities, and efficient market operations ensured that growers received timely and fair prices for their produce.

Multi-dimensional Progress through the Integrated Horticulture Development Mission and Other Grower-friendly Schemes

For the sustainable development of the horticulture sector in Himachal Pradesh, the State Government’s farsighted initiatives continue to yield new achievements.

Under the Integrated Horticulture Development Mission, the State has received the first installment of Rs. 25 crore, which includes Rs. 22.50 crore from the Central Government and Rs. 2.50 crore as the State’s share.

Out of this, Rs.14.50 crore has been disbursed to farmers under various components, including: Expansion of fruit, vegetable, spice, and flower cultivation, mushroom production, protected cultivation (greenhouses/poly green houses), Anti-hail nets, farm-gate pack houses, cold storage and food processing units.

Through these initiatives, farmers have been empowered with modern technology, leading to significant improvements in production, quality, and marketing capacity.

At present, the horticulture sector of Himachal Pradesh has not only become the economic backbone of the State but also emerged as a symbol of prosperity and mountain life for farmers.

These initiatives of the State Government are proving to be a milestone in establishing Himachal Pradesh as a self-reliant, empowered, and prosperous horticulture state.