In tracing the economic history of Himachal Pradesh, influential political figures have played pivotal roles in shaping the trajectory of the state’s development. During the post-independence era in the 1950s to 1970s, Yashwant Singh Parmar emerged as a key figure, serving as the first Chief Minister. Parmar’s leadership was marked by significant initiatives such as implementing land reforms and modernizing agriculture. In the subsequent decades, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s, Virbhadra Singh, a prominent political figure, contributed significantly to the state’s focus on tourism and the harnessing of hydroelectric power. As the 21st century unfolded, the landscape of Himachal Pradesh’s economy underwent further transformations. Political leadership, exemplified by figures like Prem Kumar Dhumal, emphasized the diversification of the economy into information technology and service sectors, with cities like Shimla and Dharamshala emerging as IT hubs. In more recent times, Jai Ram Thakur has been a central figure, serving as Chief Minister and contributing to the state’s industrial growth. His tenure has seen efforts to establish Special Economic Zones, fostering industries such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, and food processing. It’s important to recognize that economic development is a collaborative effort, and the contributions of these political figures have been crucial in steering Himachal Pradesh towards sustained growth and diversification.

Himachal Pradesh has made significant achievements in the field of industrialisation in the past few years. As of December 2015, the state recorded 40,172 working units, of which, the large industrial units were recorded to be 138 whereas the medium scale units were 380. Out of the total allocated budget of US$ 5.23 million for the Industrial sector, an amount of US$ 3.03 million was incurred by the sector till December 2015. The increase in total State Domestic Product is mainly attributed to 12.3 percent in Community & Personal Services sectors, 11.0 percent in manufacturing sector,9.2 percent increase in Electricity, Gas & Water Supply. Agro-horticulture, herbal, wool, sericulture and electronics are the major industries in the state. Small-scale village based industries plays important role in employment generation. In small scale sector, microscopes, watch parts, thermometers, hospital and heating equipments are being manufactured, whereas the village industry sector consists sheep-rearing, wood carving, blacksmith, spinning, weaving, leather tanning, pottery, handloom, handicrafts and bamboo crafts. Handloom and sericulture are the most important village industries. One export promotion industrial park is developed in Baddi and one electronics complex is being developed in Shoghi near Shimla. Fruit processing is naturally an important element in the industrial development of the state. One of the biggest fruit processing plants in Asia at Parwanoo is in operation. Tea is grown in Kangra and Mandi districts. Besides these, there are many mineral based industries like stone crusher, calcium carbonate units, hydrated lime units etc. Himachal Pradesh is one of the fastest-growing regions in the pharmaceutical industry in India, driven by incentives announced by the state Government in its Industrial Policy, 2004. The textiles industry in Himachal Pradesh is mainly focussed on spinning, with companies such as Vardhman engaged in weaving and dyeing. Raw silk production in the state has increased from 23 metric tonnes in 2012-13 to 30 metric tonnes in 2014-15. In 2015-16, production of raw silk in the state was 32 metric tonnes.

The hospital’s history dates back to 28 October 1952 when Mr.Chandulal Trivedi,the Governor of Punjab,on behalf of Rai Bahadur Jodhamal Kuthiala,a philanthropist,laid the foundation stone of a TB sanatorium.[3] The TB sanatorium was inaugurated by Dr.Rajendra Prasad,the first President of India, on 21 May 1958.[3] The 200 bed hospital was a gift from Rai Bahadur to the Kangra residents.[3] The foundation stone for the hospital was laid by the then Chief Minister Sh. Virbhadra Singh on 23 October 1996.[4] The Foundation Stone for the TB sanatorium was laid by the then Sub Divisional Magistrate Chandu Burusu, IAS on 25 February 2022 with a hospital facility at Dharamshala.[3] The new hospital was dedicated to the public by the Chief Minister on 3 October 2008. The college was recognised by the Medical Council of India(MCI) provisionally on 24 February 2005 and received permanent recognition in January 2010.

Out of the total geographical area of 55.67 lakh hectares, the net sown area is 5.83 lakh hectares. Out of this, the total irrigated area is 3.35 lakh hectares, out of which 0.50 lakh hectares can be brought under medium irrigation scheme and 2.85 lakh hectares can be brought under minor irrigation scheme. H.P. Out of the total irrigated area (3.35 lakh hectares), only 1.07 lakh hectares are irrigated through canals, tanks, wells, tube wells and wells. Most of the irrigation in Unm is done through tube wells. The irrigated area is highest in Kangra district. Till the year 2012, H.P. 26,132 hand pumps were installed. i) Jalmani Program – Installation of Purification System (UV & Terafil) for clean drinking water in rural schools. By the year 2012, 3746 purifiers had been installed in schools. Irrigation Project – Only 18% of the area under agriculture in Himachal Pradesh is irrigated. The remaining 82% area depends on rainfall. irrigation in himachal pradesh

1. Shah Canal Project – This is the biggest irrigation project of Himachal. Shahnagar project is mainly in Kangra district. 15,287 hectares of land is irrigated by this project.

2. Babhore Sahib Project – For this project, water will be taken from Nangal Dam reservoir. 3563 hectares of land will be irrigated through this project.

3. Balh Valley Project – 2410 hectare area is irrigated by this project.

4. Baldwara Project – This project is in Mandi district. This project will irrigate 3400 hectare area. This project is likely to cost Rs 3 crore.

5. 2350 hectare area will be irrigated by Changar project of Bilaspur.

6. 5263 hectare area will be irrigated by Giri Irrigation Project

Forest project Himachal:

1. National Forest Development Project Social Forestry (Ambarela) Project – In this scheme, plantation will be done on private and government D grade forest land for firewood, animal fodder and growth. This project was started in 1985-86 with the help of the World Bank, which is estimated to cost Rs 65 crore.

2. Rural Fuel Social Afforestation Project – Through this project, fuel wood plants are to be planted in waste government land, roadsides, etc. This project is being run by the state and central governments at a cost of 50:50. This project is being run in Kangra, Hamirpur, Mandi, Shimla, Solan.

3. Dhauladhar Area Forestry Project – This project is being run with the help of Germany. This was a joint plan of afforestation, animal husbandry and means to avoid burning wood for fuel. This project has been started since the Sixth Five Year Plan.

Other projects:

1. Desert Development Program (Spiti Pooh) -This scheme is to convert Spiti of Lahaul Spiti and Pooh of Kinnaur district into green area. The central government is bearing the entire expense of this project.

2. Integrated Wasteland Development Project – This project has been started mainly in Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti districts.

3. Fuel and fodder project – Fuel and fodder project is being run on 50:50 basis in Rampur of Shimla district, Nahan of Sirmaur, Hamirpur, Mandi, Dharamshala of Kangra.

4. With the help of World Bank, Kandi Project – Mill is being run on Markanda, Ghagghar, Swan and Sirsa rivers of Shivalik region.

5. Ecological Development Project – This is a World Bank project under which there is a plan for the development of Great Himalayan National Park (Kullu).

6. River Valley Soil Conservation Project – This scheme is sponsored by the Central Government for Sutlej and Beas regions.

7. Integrated Watershed Manager – This project is sponsored by the Central Government. Under this, work is going on in the f lood prone areas of Giri-Bata, Pabbar-Tons, Swan River (Una).

8. Eco Task Force – This scheme of the Central Government is for the development of Kinnaur barren land.

9. Indo German Project – This project is for the development of Changar in Kangra Mandi district. It is being supported by the German government.

The corporation was jointly founded by the Government of Punjab, Government of Himachal Pradesh and Railways as Mandi Kullu Road Transport Corporation in 1958 to operate in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. The corporation was merged with Himachal Govt. Transport on 2 October 1974 and was renamed as Himachal Road Transport Corporation.

HRTC has a fleet of 3358 buses & categorize its buses into 5 categories as

• HIMSUTA- Volvo Buses & Scania AB buses

• HIMGAURAV- Isuzu and Deluxe AC buses

• HIMMANI-Ashok Leyland Deluxe (Non-AC) buses

• HIM TARANG- (Electric buses)

• HIM DHARA-(AC-ORDINARY 3×2) Ashok Leyland

• ORDINARY and mini/local city buses Tata Marcopolo,Ashok Leyland[that ply in association with JnNURM to Fulfill urban transportation needs.