Sukhu govt asserts right to revenue deficit grant

Shimla: Amid opposition BJP's objection, the Himachal Pradesh govt on Monday strongly defended its decision to push for a discussion on the discontinuation of the revenue deficit grant (RDG) by the 16th Finance Commission in the state legislative assembly, asserting that the grant was the state's rightful entitlement, not charity from the Centre.Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu questioned BJP legislators on whether they were willing to join the state govt in approaching the Prime Minister to restore the RDG. Highlighting the potential impact of the Finance Commission recommendations, Sukhu emphasised that the state govt would protect Himachal Pradesh's economic interests. He urged prioritisation of the RDG discussion over the discussion on the motion of thanks on governor's address being pressed by the opposition, noting that the Parliament was likely to pass the Union Budget on March 17, incorporating the commission's recommendation to discontinue the RDG. Sukhu also reassured the assembly that the old pension scheme (OPS) would continue, and the state electricity board would not be privatised, but strengthened. He added that the motion of thanks to the governor's address would also be discussed in detail after the RDG issue. Leader of the opposition Jairam Thakur expressed readiness to debate the RDG, but criticised the state govt for failing to control wasteful expenditure. Thakur noted that state debt rose from Rs 69,600 crore under the previous BJP govt to Rs 1.10 lakh crore now, warning that salaries, pensions, and development programmes could face risks. He also urged reconsideration of various govt appointments and stressed that political statements against the Prime Minister would not resolve the state's financial challenges. Earlier, parliamentary affairs minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, while moving the resolution in the House, explained that the RDG was provided to Himachal Pradesh under Articles 275 and 280 of the Constitution from the fifth to the 15th Finance Commission. However, based on the 16th Finance Commission's recommendations, the Central govt decided to discontinue the grant from the upcoming financial year, which Chauhan said could trigger an economic crisis affecting the state's 75 lakh population.