Himachal targets 6.5 percent growth

Shimla, March 17 (IANS) The Himachal Pradesh economy's growth is expected to remain at 6.5 percent this fiscal and the per capita income is estimated at Rs.104,943, crossing five-digit number for the first time, Irrigation and Public Health Minister Vidya Stokes said on Tuesday.

In this fiscal, the state, whose economy is highly dependent on hydroelectric power, horticulture and tourism, has made tremendous progress in industries, power, horticulture, agriculture and allied activities, Stokes said quoting from the state's economic survey 2014-15.

The report was tabled in the assembly by Stokes in the absence of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who also holds the finance portfolio.

"The per capita income at current prices witnessed an increase of 11.4 percent as it increased to Rs.95,582 in 2013-14 from Rs.85,792 in 2012-13," said the report.

The increase in the total state domestic product is mainly attributed to 15.3 percent increase in the primary sector -- agriculture and animal husbandry, forestry, fishing and mining.

The finance and real estate saw 4.5 percent increase.

The secondary sector, comprising manufacturing and construction, has increased by only 2.6 percent.

In 2014-15 the production of foodgrain is expected to increase, while the fruit production is likely to fall.

The production of foodgrain, which was 15.41 lakh tonnes in 2012-13, has increased to 15.76 lakh tonnes in the following fiscal.

It's expected at 16.20 lakh tonnes in this fiscal, said the report.

The production of fruits in this fiscal is estimated at 6.53 lakh tonnes, compared to 8.66 lakh tonnes in 2013-14. However, in 2013-14 it increased by 55.8 percent from its previous fiscal.

"Apple constitutes about 89 percent of the total fruit production. During 2014-15 (up to December 2014), 5.81 lakh tonnes of apples were produced against 7.39 lakh tonnes in 2013-14," the report said.

There are 502 medium and large-scale and 40,429 small-scale industries with an investment of about Rs.18,307 crore in the state.

Himachal Pradesh's hydropower generation potential is 27,436 MW - about 25 percent of country's total hydropower potential. However, only 9,433 MW of power has been tapped till December last year, which is 34 percent of the total potential.

Tourism, which is contributing 7.5 percent of the state gross domestic product, last year attracted 1.63 crore both domestic and international guests, which is 2.4 times more of the state's population.

According to the report, the state has 2,377 hotels with a bed capacity of 61,236 registered with the state tourism department. In addition, there are 576 home-stay units with a provision of 1,580 rooms.