During the winter session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly in Dharamshala, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu delivered a detailed statement on the state’s deteriorating financial health, urging both the ruling and opposition parties to work together to steer the state out of its deepening debt crisis.
The Chief Minister presented figures showing that the state’s debt had risen sharply from around Rs 11,000 crore in 2017-18 to nearly Rs 3,20,000 crore today. He stressed that the alarming financial condition was not a matter for political blame but a challenge that required collective responsibility, long-term planning and transparent governance.
He noted that despite the unprecedented liabilities inherited by the current government, efforts were underway to bring fiscal discipline and ensure that developmental activities were not halted. Sukhu said the government was working to increase revenue, plug financial leakages and invest in sectors that promote sustainable economic growth.
Senior Congress MLA and former minister Mukesh Agnihotri, along with BJP legislators, took part in the debate. Members from both sides acknowledged the seriousness of the financial situation. Some BJP MLAs said the state needed structural reforms and improved financial management. Congress MLAs argued that reckless decisions over the past decade had pushed the state into distress and added that the government’s corrective measures were beginning to show results.
The Chief Minister also highlighted that the government was ensuring timely salaries and pensions despite the financial load. He said that welfare schemes were being protected and the administration was trying to prevent any interruption in public services.
#### RERA Amendment and Government Jobs Bill Introduced
In an important legislative move, the government introduced amendments to the Real Estate Regulation and Development Act (RERA) aimed at granting more authority to the state RERA body. The amendments propose higher penalties for violators, provisions to speed up dispute resolution and stricter compliance norms for developers operating in Himachal Pradesh.
The House was informed that the amendments were necessary to protect homebuyers, tackle fraudulent real estate practices and improve transparency in the sector. The government argued that real estate investments must be safeguarded, especially at a time when the state economy needs stronger private sector participation.
Another major bill introduced was linked to government recruitments, focusing on improving transparency in job notifications and ensuring a fair selection process. The legislation aims to prevent irregularities that had come to light in past recruitment examinations.
Opposition members questioned aspects of the proposed law, asking whether the reforms would genuinely improve the recruitment system or merely add more administrative layers. The government, however, stated that the bill was drafted after assessing loopholes and delays in past procedures and is aimed at restoring public confidence.
#### Need for Joint Effort to Stabilize Himachal’s Economy
Throughout the discussion, several legislators echoed the need for coordination between the Treasury and the Opposition. Independent MLAs and smaller parties, too, emphasised that fiscal recovery must remain above partisan politics.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed that his government was taking tough yet necessary steps to revive the financial health of Himachal Pradesh. He urged the Opposition to support long-term reforms rather than resort to political point-scoring, stating that the people of the state expected unity on matters directly affecting their livelihoods.
The winter session concluded for the day with an agreement to continue discussions on further financial reforms and administrative measures in the coming sittings.
