Sukhu slams Nadda remarks, says funds from Centre HP’s right, not charity

Shimla: Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Monday that the funds allocated by the central govt to Himachal Pradesh are the state’s rightful entitlement and not an act of charity.
Himachal is an integral part of the federal structure, where each state has both rights and responsibilities, he added. “Where does the Union government collect its taxes from? It is the states’ contributions that form the central revenue. Therefore, states have a legitimate claim on this tax revenue. The Union government is not distributing charity but returning what is due,” asserted Sukhu.
The chief minister also added that the revenue deficit grant is a rightful entitlement of the people of Himachal, and the state is also entitled to its share in central taxes. Condemning BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda, the chief minister said that as a Union minister Nadda’s recent statements are inappropriate. “Those who have recently become NaddaJi’s advisers were previously associated with the Congress party. It would be wise for him to stay cautious of such advice,” he warned.
The chief minister also clarified that the Himachal govt has neither withdrawn the electricity subsidy for the common people nor issued water bills. But, the subsidies for five-star hotels and luxury properties have been rationalised, he added. Sukhu also said that the state govt has allocated Rs 200 crore each for the completion of the Chamba and Hamirpur medical colleges and these funds have been sourced from the state’s resources. “We are also recruiting doctors and nurses using our own funds to ensure better healthcare services for the people of the state. The Union government is not providing these funds,” he underlined.