Shimla, March 21 -- The Himachal Pradesh government on Saturday presented a Rs 54,928 crore budget for 2026-27, focusing on strengthening the rural economy and fulfilling key election guarantees, while simultaneously announcing austerity measures, including temporary salary cuts for top functionaries.

Presenting his fourth budget, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the government aims to make Himachal Pradesh a self-reliant state by 2030, with a strong emphasis on rural development, agriculture, and social welfare.

As part of its flagship commitments, the government announced financial assistance of Rs 1,500 per month to women from one lakh families, provision of 300 units of free electricity per month, and the setting up of a d...