Shimla, 19^th Oct, 2025

Feature- State Government accelerates tribal development

Invests Rs.3,000 crore to benefit over 35,000 tribal families

In a decisive push towards inclusive and balanced growth, the Himachal Pradesh Government has accelerated tribal development with a focused investment of more than Rs. 3,000 crore over the past two-and-a-half years. This intervention has directly benefitted over 35,000 tribal families through improved infrastructure, enhanced access to education and healthcare, livelihood generation programmes and better social services. New roads, bridges, residential schools, health facilities and community-based interventions are steadily transforming the socio-economic landscape

The Tribal Area Development Programme has been implemented on a strong financial footing with budgetary provisions of Rs. 855 crore during 2022-23, Rs. 857.14 crore in 2023-24, Rs. 890.28 crore in 2024-25 and a proposed Rs.638.73 crore for 2025-26. Major civil works including roads, bridges, transport infrastructure and public buildings accounted for Rs. 290.58 crore in 2022-23, Rs. 287.99 crore in 2023-24 and Rs.62.92 crore in 2024-25 with Rs.125.06 crore earmarked for 2025-26.

Recognising the challenge of service delivery in high-altitude and sparsely populated areas, the government has strengthened basic public services in remote hamlets. Health sub-centres have been upgraded, mobile outreach and referral units deployed, while drinking water and electricity supply have been made more reliable. Livelihood support linked to horticulture, animal husbandry and value-addition of local produce has helped stabilise incomes of tribal households.

Under the Vibrant Village Programme, 75 frontier habitations in Kinnaur, Pooh and Spiti have been mapped and development plans framed to strengthen infrastructure, social services and economic opportunities along border areas. Work has already commenced on connectivity, housing and community assets in these villages.

Education has been another area of priority. Four Eklavya Model Residential Schools at Nichar, Bharmour, Pangi and Lahaul are currently hosting 1,008 students, with 150 new admissions made every year in Class 6. Construction of new school and hostel complexes at Pangi and Lahaul is underway with Rs.2 crore and Rs.1.90 crore respectively already released. The Government has also surpassed its targets under the 20-Point Programme: against a target of 7,502 families in 2022-23, 8,598 families were covered in 2023-24. Similarly, 12,663 families were covered against a target of 6,573 in 2024-25 which is nearly twice the target. For 2025-26 as many as 6,314 families have been targeted.

To ensure timely implementation of the Forest Rights Act, officials and community representatives were trained intensively in tribal districts. As of June 2025, 901 land titles, 755 individual and 146 community pattas have been issued. In April 2025, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu released an FRA implementation calendar to ensure uniform and time-bound disposal of pending claims.

Looking ahead, the government has completed land transfer, statutory clearances and DPR preparation worth Rs.40.29 crore for a permanent Tribal Research & Training Institute, which will anchor research, capacity-building and evidence-based policymaking for tribal development.

With consistent funding, measurable outcomes and institutional continuity from expanding residential schooling and FRA pattas to border village development and a planned research institute, the State Government has shifted tribal development from declarations to demonstrable delivery on the ground.