BJP slams Sukhu govt over fiscal ‘mismanagement’, walks out of all-party meet

Shimla: The opposition BJP raised concerns over the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu govt's handling of state finances during an all-party meeting convened on Friday to discuss the discontinuation of the revenue deficit grant (RDG).The BJP delegation, including state president Dr Rajeev Bindal, former chief minister and leader of opposition in Himachal assembly Jai Ram Thakur, MLAs Randhir Sharma, Vinod Kumar, Balbir Verma and Trilok Jamwal, and state media convenor Karan Nanda, stated that development was a shared responsibility and criticised the Congress govt for attempting to shift the burden of financial mismanagement onto the Centre.Bindal clarified that RDG discontinuation followed the structured Finance Commission recommendations and was not sudden. The state should improve revenue generation, control non-essential spending, and strengthen fiscal discipline rather than creating panic, he added.The BJP delegation also objected to unparliamentary remarks against the Centre and the Prime Minister, and walked out of the meeting in protest. Bindal said the party supported constructive discussions but would oppose politicised narratives that ignored facts and responsible governance.Earlier, presenting detailed figures, Bindal noted that Himachal Pradesh received substantial central assistance, including Rs 50,000 crore in 2022-23, Rs 43,000 crore in 2023-24, and around Rs 35,000 crore in 2024-25 and 25-26 through tax devolution, various schemes and infrastructure funding.He highlighted ongoing national highway projects worth Rs 44,000 crore, railway expansions, tunnels, and industrial initiatives such as the bulk drug park, underscoring the central govt's contributions to state growth.MSID:: 128305812 413 |