Himachal CM Blames BJP for Emptying State Treasury

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday accused the previous BJP Government of plundering state coffers, spending lavishly on political populism, and neglecting investments in infrastructure and development. He raised concerns over the BJP’s defence of the 16th Finance Commission’s discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), highlighting the substantial funds the party had received.

CM Sukhu noted that the BJP Government benefited from Rs 54,296 crore in RDG over five years, along with Rs 16,000 crore in GST compensation, but largely used the funds for political stabilisation and freebies rather than long-term fiscal stability. In contrast, the current Congress government has received Rs 17,563 crore over three years, less than half of what the BJP obtained.

Detailing the allocations, Sukhu said the BJP received Rs 8,449 crore in 2018-19, Rs 8,271 crore in 2019-20, Rs 8,062 crore in 2020-21, and additional interim and Finance Commission grants totaling Rs 54,296 crore. Meanwhile, the present government got Rs 8,058 crore in 2023-24, Rs 6,258 crore in 2024-25, and Rs 3,257 crore in 2025-26, reflecting a sharp drop in financial support.

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The Chief Minister criticised the BJP for failing to disburse employee arrears or announce dearness allowances despite ample resources. He also highlighted the previous regime’s lack of investment in health infrastructure, noting that his government is now implementing a Rs 3,000 crore modernisation plan and Rs 1,300 crore under JICA Phase-II to improve healthcare delivery.

Sukhu described the fiscal situation inherited in December 2022 as “massively indebted,” with total state liabilities at Rs 76,185 crore, up nearly Rs 28,000 crore in five years. He cited additional unfunded liabilities of Rs 5,000 crore arising from the last-minute opening of over 900 institutions by the BJP government, which the current administration had to de-notify to prevent economic collapse.

Concluding his remarks, CM Sukhu called the BJP’s criticism of the state’s fiscal position today “hypocritical”, given their past mismanagement, and emphasised that the Congress government is focusing on sustainable development, infrastructure, and health reforms to stabilise Himachal’s economy.

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