Shimla, February 10
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while addressing the media today, reaffirmed the State Government’s unwavering commitment to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and various public welfare initiatives, despite the Central Government’s withdrawal of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG). The Chief Minister emphasized that the government would continue these schemes by mobilizing its own resources, ensuring that the rightful entitlements of the people remain protected under all circumstances.
Refuting the opposition’s stance, the Chief Minister stated that had the BJP been in power, they would have replaced the OPS with the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), effectively ending the security currently enjoyed by government employees. Drawing from his own background in a common family, he expressed a deep understanding of the concerns of the general public and vowed that his administration would never compromise on their interests. He noted that while the Finance Department manages the technicalities of the state’s fiscal health, the government’s priority remains the enhancement of resources to drive the state forward.
Chief Minister Sukhu leveled allegations against the previous BJP government led by Jai Ram Thakur, accusing it of gross financial mismanagement between 2018 and 2021. He pointed out that during its five-year tenure, the previous government received a substantial Rs. 54,000 crore as RDG and Rs. 16,000 crore as GST compensation. However, he alleged these funds were misused to favor contractors and cited the expenditure of nearly Rs. 1,000 crore on the construction of buildings that currently stand vacant and underutilized.
In contrast, the Chief Minister highlighted that the present government has received only Rs. 17,000 crore in RDG over the last three years but has successfully maintained strict economic discipline. He reported that the State Government has generated Rs. 26,683 crore from its own resources and plans to implement further stringent measures to bolster the economy. Stressing that the interests of the state must transcend party lines, he urged the BJP to support the state’s pursuit of its rights before the Central Government rather than deceiving the public.
Addressing the critical nature of the Revenue Deficit Grant, which is provided under Article 275(1) of the Constitution to bridge the revenue-expenditure gap, the Chief Minister warned that the annual loss of Rs 10,000 crore would severely constrain the budget of a small hilly state like Himachal Pradesh. He characterized the withdrawal of the grant as “step-motherly treatment” by the Centre, asserting that Himachal Pradesh, by its geographical and economic nature, remains a revenue-deficit state. He declared his resolve to meet with the Prime Minister to seek the restoration of the RDG, describing himself as a “warrior” ready to fight for the state’s legitimate share on every platform.
Finally, the Chief Minister dismissed claims made by the Leader of the Opposition regarding the lack of a formal invitation to a financial briefing. By producing copies of personal letters sent to Jai Ram Thakur and other BJP MLAs, he clarified that they were invited to discuss the financial impact of the RDG discontinuation. He criticized the BJP for willfully abstaining from the meeting and called on all stakeholders to rise above political affiliations to collectively advocate for the welfare of the people of Himachal Pradesh.
