SHIMLA -29^th October, 2025

Chief Minister calls on Union Minister of the State Dr. Jitendra Singh

• Urges for 150 automated weather stations across the state & Bio manufacturing Hubs

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu held a meeting with Minister of State for Science and technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh at New Delhi on Tuesday evening and requested to provide Doppler weather radar and automatic weather stations in adequate numbers for ensuring early and quick warning related to natural disasters in the state.

Thakur Sukhvinder Sing Sukhu said that due to the geological positioning of Himachal Pradesh and concerning issues of global warming and climate change, the state has witnessed alarming rise in the occurrences of natural disasters. The state was suffering huge losses due to these disaster instances. He requested to provide one Doppler weather radar and 150 automated weather stations before the next monsoon season so that the state could benefit from the early weather updated.

The Chief Minister also thanked the Union state minister for approving Doppler radar for Lahaul Spiti. He said that the weather related data should be integrated with the central recognized national early warning agencies so that that state could receive accurate and timely alerts pertaining to adverse weather conditions.

Sh. Sukhu also requested for seismic laboratory and data analysis centre in Kangra-Hamirpur zone as these areas fall within seismic zone-V and were much prone to earthquakes. He also urged for two additional air monitoring systems on higher reaches of the state and weather data centre at Hamirpur, besides compact weather radar in shadow areas of the state.

He stated that modern warning and data monitoring and analysis system should be setup in Himachal due to increase in natural disasters in the state since last few years and it was the need of the hour as well.

He called for the setting up of Bio-Manufacturing hub to make better use of plant-based natural resources in the state. He also stressed the need to establish plant-based packaging units to support environmental protection and sustainable development. In addition, he sought support to strengthen space science education in the state through the space on wheels programme, AI and related refresher courses so that students gain advanced knowledge of science education.

A detailed discussion was also held in the meeting on natural farming in Himachal Pradesh along with land management and renewable energy-based smart agriculture.

The Chief Minister also detailed the Union Minister of State about the initiatives in the dairy sector and natural farming.

The Union Minister of the State also assured to fulfill the demands on priority.

MLA Suresh Kumar, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh and Principal Resident Commissioner Ajay Kumar Yadav were also present on the occasion amongst others.

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CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu meets Union Finance Minister,

Seeks increase of 2 percent in additional borrowing limit

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi today and requested her to adopt a liberal approach towards providing financial assistance and grants to the state. Considering the current financial situation of the State, the Chief Minister urged to increase the additional borrowing limit of the State by 2 percent for the remaining period of the financial year 2025–26.

The Chief Minister highlighted that despite the state government's efforts to increase revenue, the state's financial health has been severely impacted due to regular reductions in revenue deficit grants and losses incurred due to natural disasters over the past three years.

Stressing the need for financial support, Sh. Sukhu pointed out that the state's revenue deficit grant has decreased significantly from Rs. 10,249 crore in 2020-21 to Rs. 3,257 crore in 2025-26 under the 15th Finance Commission's period. He also mentioned the loss of around Rs. 18,000 crore due to natural disasters during the past three years resulting in death of 1321 precious lives and damage to resources.

The Chief Minister said that the recent rationalisation of Goods and Services Tax rates has adversely affected the financial position of the State due to the reduction in the tax base. In view of the difficult circumstances the State is facing adequate liberal assistance be provided, he reiterated.

Sh. Sukhu also apprised Finance Minister of the measures being taken by the state government to improve its financial situation through its minimal resources.

The Union Finance Minister assured the Chief Minister that the State's demands would be considered sympathetically. She also assured that additional assistance would be provided under Special Central Assistance and the state would be considered for additional approvals, especially for the health sector projects.

Rajya Sabha MP and Himachal Congress In-charge Rajni Patil, and Chief Minister's Principal Advisor Ram Subhag Singh, Principal Secretary Devesh Kumar, Principal Resident Commissioner Ajay Kumar and senior officers of the Union Finance Ministry were also present on this occasion.