Himachal CM seeks separate norms for hill states in NABARD allocations

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has urged the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to frame separate norms for hill states while finalising state-wise allocations.

He said factors such as forest cover, greening initiatives, and ecological contributions should be considered to address the unique challenges of the 11 hill states.

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He said this when NABARD, Deputy Managing Director Goverdhan Singh Rawat called on the Chief Minister at his official residence, Oak Over, on Saturday.

Sukhu lauded the efforts of NABARD’s Regional Office in strengthening coordination with the state government and ensuring timely resolution of key matters.

The Chief Minister proposed that ground-mounted solar projects and electric buses be brought under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). He said these projects would help Panchayats achieve energy self-sufficiency and further the State Government’s vision of Green Himachal.

He also asked NABARD to support the State Planning Department in developing efficient supply and value chains in Fisheries and Animal Husbandry to enhance farmers’ incomes.

Stressing the need for flexibility, he sought reforms to allow state governments to make project-specific changes during the execution of NABARD-approved programmes.

NABARD officers highlighted constraints faced by cooperative societies due to Section 118 provisions and suggested that milk procurement be assigned to Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) instead of creating new entities. They also called for expediting PACS computerization.

Sukhu assured that all suggestions from NABARD would be examined and integrated into the State’s development strategy wherever feasible.

NABARD officials, in turn, promised to place his proposals before the highest level for consideration in future guidelines.