The Himachal Pradesh government has disclosed an expenditure of approximately ₹21.38 crore on foreign tours by ministers, MLAs, and officials between January 2023 and July 2025.

  • Total expenditure of ₹21.38 crore recorded between Jan 2023 and July 2025.
  • The education sector saw the highest spending of ₹11.91 crore via the STAR Project.
  • Significant portions of the funding were provided by ADB and the Central Government.

In a detailed written reply to the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu revealed that the state government spent approximately ₹21.38 crore (₹21,38,09,284) on foreign visits undertaken by ministers, MLAs, government officials, and academicians from January 2023 to July 2025. The information was provided in response to queries raised by BJP MLAs Rakesh Jamwal and Randhir Sharma.

The list of travelers includes CM Sukhu, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, Cabinet Ministers Harshwardhan Chauhan, Jagat Singh Negi, and Chander Kumar, alongside senior officials from various departments such as Finance, Tourism, and Horticulture. The government clarified that in numerous instances, the costs were fully or partially covered by the central government or international development agencies like the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

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Sector-Wise Breakdown of Expenditure

The most significant expenditure was attributed to the education sector. Under the Samagra Shiksha STAR Project, foreign educational exposure visits were organized for teachers and meritorious students. A total of 353 teachers and 50 students were sent to Singapore and Cambodia, costing the government ₹11.91 crore to align local education with international standards.

In terms of tourism and infrastructure, CM Sukhu visited Dubai in December 2023 to attract investment, costing ₹11.73 lakh. Additionally, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri led a delegation to Innsbruck, Austria, to study ropeway technology. This visit was instrumental in securing a promoter for the Mata Chintpurni Passenger Ropeway and selecting modern, compliant equipment.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that while the expenditure appears substantial, the government is framing these trips as strategic investments in human capital and infrastructure. By studying advanced systems in Singapore, Austria, and the Netherlands, the state aims to implement global best practices in local governance and industry.

Strategic foreign exposure for policymakers can bridge the gap between local implementation and global technological standards.

The horticulture and agriculture sectors also saw targeted visits. Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi and other officials traveled to the Netherlands and Australia to study plant health and modern nursery management. Much of this was funded by the ADB. Similarly, the transport department studied electric bus operations in Australia to modernize the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC).

Urban development was another key focus. Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh visited Barcelona, Spain, under the Smart City Expo World Congress to study future-ready urban practices, with the trip costing ₹38.70 lakh. Further exposure visits to South Korea and Japan focused on urban management best practices.

Did You Know?: The transport department's study in Australia specifically targeted the implementation of e-ticketing and electric charging infrastructure for Himachal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: How much did the Himachal government spend on foreign trips?
Answer: Between January 2023 and July 2025, the total expenditure was ₹21,38,09,284.

Question 2: Who funded these foreign visits?
Answer: While some funds were state-allocated, many visits were funded by the ADB, the Central Government, and international agencies like the Korea Rural Community Corporation.