Shimla, April 12 (IANS). Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday targeted the BJP and described it as ‘anti-Himachal’.
He raised questions as to why the party could not stand with the state before the Center on important issues like Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) and disaster relief.
He asked that when the state was fighting for its rightful money, then why did the state BJP leaders not go with the government to meet Prime Minister Modi? While talking to the media in Una city, the Chief Minister said that during the tenure of BJP, Himachal Pradesh had incurred a debt of Rs 76,633 crore.
He accused the previous government of distributing ‘freebies’ worth about Rs 5,000 crore during elections, leading to weakening of financial discipline. Despite receiving huge funds from the Center of about Rs 60,000 crore—which was more than what the current government received—the BJP failed to utilize these resources properly.
Instead, he claimed the funds were misappropriated, plunging the state deeper into debt. He said that if the money had been utilized properly, Himachal could have become debt-free today.
He said that BJP’s policies have consistently been against the interests of the state and have not given priority to public welfare. In contrast, the current government has been focusing on ‘system change’ for the last 40 months, prioritizing public service, changing policies, making new laws and curbing corruption, which is yielding positive results.
CM Sukhu said that the people of the state have now recognized the truth that the BJP is trying to gain power by manipulating social media, which also includes defaming the present government by making false allegations.
The Chief Minister said the Congress government has launched several welfare schemes, including monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 for women from one lakh poor families, free electricity up to 300 units and pension for women above 59 years of age.
He said that to promote natural farming, the minimum support prices (MSP) of wheat, maize and turmeric have been increased, which has increased the income of farmers. He again reiterated that the present government is committed to transparency, good governance and making the state self-reliant, for which every possible effort is being made.
CM Sukhu said that the state has suffered a loss of about Rs 50,000 crore due to the closure of the Revenue Deficit Grant. He said that this amount is the right of the state, not a dole.
–IANS
ASH/DKP