Read the following statements:
Statement I: Share of agriculture in total GSDP of Himachal Pradesh has declined from about 75 percent in 1950-51 to little above 20 percent in 2023-24.
Statement II: As per economic survey 2024-25 of the state, however, in terms of employment still 54 percent of the state population is engaged in primary sector.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
(A) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
(B) Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
(C) Statement I is correct and Statement II is incorrect
(D) Statement I is incorrect and Statement II is correct
The correct answer is (D) Statement I is incorrect and Statement II is correct. Here is the detailed solution with evidence from the Himachal Pradesh Economic Survey 2024-25.
Analysis of Statement I
Statement I: “Share of agriculture in total GSDP of Himachal Pradesh has declined from about 75 percent in 1950-51 to little above 20 percent in 2023-24.”
- The Economic Survey 2024-25 clearly states that the share of agriculture in Himachal Pradesh’s GSDP fell from around 70.37 percent in 1950-51 to only 14.74 percent in 2023-24.
- The figure “little above 20 percent” is not correct; the actual share is below 15 percent in 2023-24.
- Therefore, Statement I is incorrect.
Analysis of Statement II
Statement II: “As per economic survey 2024-25 of the state, however, in terms of employment still 54 percent of the state population is engaged in the primary sector.”
- The Economic Survey confirms that as of 2023-24, 53.98 percent of the population is employed in the primary sector (agriculture and allied activities).
- This value is nearly 54 percent, supporting the statement’s accuracy.
- Therefore, Statement II is correct.