Shimla, February 11
BJP Himachal Pradesh Co-Incharge Sanjay Tandon, while addressing a press conference, strongly criticized the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government, stating that the state is trying to hide its financial, administrative and governance failures by unfairly blaming the Central Government. He said the present situation reflects the saying, “One who cannot perform blames the stage,” as the state government is shifting responsibility instead of correcting its own fiscal mismanagement.
Tandon said the discontinuation of Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) was not a sudden decision but a phased and pre-declared recommendation under successive Finance Commissions. The state government was fully aware of the timeline but failed to strengthen its own revenue base and expenditure discipline in advance.
Tandon pointed out that if we compare Himachal Pradesh with Uttarakhand — two hill states with broadly similar geography, constraints, and tourism-based opportunities — Uttarakhand has performed significantly better in revenue mobilization, investment attraction, and fiscal management, while Himachal’s revenue deficit and debt ratios have sharply worsened. This, he said, reflects a clear difference in policy intent and financial governance.
Referring to publicly available fiscal assessments, Tandon said Himachal’s debt-to-GSDP ratio has crossed 40 per cent, which is a serious warning sign. In contrast, the Union Government has moved toward fiscal consolidation, bringing the fiscal deficit target down to around 4.3 per cent, while simultaneously increasing capital expenditure and infrastructure investment.
Tandon alleged that the state government has expanded a large structure of OSDs, advisors, and political appointees, creating avoidable revenue expenditure burdens. Many advisors are drawing high monthly packages along with vehicles and other facilities. Instead of rationalizing internal expenditure, the government is attempting to create confusion and blame the Centre, he added.
Tandon said most major development schemes in sectors like education, health, roads, rural development, water, and agriculture operate under 90:10 Centre–State funding models, and earlier BJP governments effectively leveraged these. The present state government has lagged in project preparation and execution.
He further stated that getting officials to address press briefings to spread fear about finances is inappropriate. If the government has facts, the Chief Minister should address the people directly. He emphasized that the Central Government has never stepped back from supporting Himachal Pradesh.
Speaking on the Union Budget 2026, Tandon described it as a revolutionary, visionary and transformative budget that lays a strong foundation for achieving the goal of a Developed India by 2047.
