HimVani
Shimla: Going on the lines of national figures, Himachal Pradesh has shown a decrease in the growth rate, sliding down from 9.2 percent in the previous year to 8.5 percent this year. The state’s GDSP has, however, increased to Rs 28,358 crore from Rs 25,471 in the previous financial year. The Economic Survey presented by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal in the Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday indicated that the secondary sector comprising manufacturing and construction remained the highest contributor with 41 percent share in the Gross State Domestic Product (GDSP) in the current year, while the primary sector, including agriculture, contributor just 22 percent and the secondary sector contributes 37 percent. The state’s per capita income was estimated at Rs 39,819, which is 20 percent higher than the national level.
The production of Kharif crop in the year 2007-08 is likely to remain at 8.5 lakh Metric Tones (MT) as against the expected 9.23 lakh MT due to abrupt monsoon, while the Rabi crop yield too is expected to remain constant due to scanty rainfall. Production of foodgrains in 2007-08 is expected to be 15.87 lakh MT, while it was 14.97 lakh MT in 2006-07. During the year 2006-07, the secondary and tertiary sector grew at 16 percent and 7.3 percent, respectively.
While presenting the survey, the Chief Minister said that in view of the liberalized competitive environment and commitment to improve infrastructure, the state was being considered a preferred destination for investment in industry, power and tourism.