Himachal govt spent Rs 21.38 crore on foreign trips in 2023-25, says CM Sukhu

Himachal Pradesh government disclosed that it spent Rs 21.38 crore on foreign visits during the fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said. The outlay covered official trips by ministers, senior officials and delegations to several countries for meetings, conferences and study tours. Sukhu added that the journeys were intended to attract investment, learn best practices and promote the state’s tourism and hydro‑power potential. Opposition parties have previously questioned the cost of overseas travel, but the administration defended the spending as essential for economic development. No detailed breakdown of the trips was released in the statement, and the amount, roughly $260,000, represents a modest share of the state’s overall budget, which prioritises infrastructure, health and education.