Shimla:
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, accusing it of pushing the hill state into a severe financial crisis through what he described as fiscal mismanagement and politically driven spending. Addressing the Congress Seva Dal Karyakarta Sammelan at the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters, Rajiv Bhawan, the Chief Minister defended his government’s governance record and said the Congress administration is working to restore financial stability while pursuing reforms in education, healthcare and public welfare.
Positioning the state’s financial condition as one of the principal challenges inherited by his government, Sukhu alleged that the previous BJP administration had failed to utilise substantial financial assistance from the Centre in a manner that could have significantly reduced Himachal Pradesh’s debt burden. According to the Chief Minister, the earlier government received nearly ₹60,000 crore through the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Compensation and Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG). He claimed that if approximately ₹48,000 crore of that amount had been directed towards debt repayment, Himachal Pradesh could have substantially improved its fiscal position. Instead, he alleged, the funds were utilised for political purposes rather than long-term financial sustainability.
Contrasting the financial environment under the present administration, Sukhu said the Congress government has received only around ₹17,000 crore under comparable heads—almost one-third of what was available to the previous government. Despite facing reduced financial support and continuing fiscal pressures, he asserted that the state government remains committed to making Himachal Pradesh economically self-reliant through structural reforms and prudent financial management.
The Chief Minister also criticised former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, alleging that no serious effort had been made during the previous tenure to strengthen the state’s economic foundations. He further accused the Union Government of withholding the Revenue Deficit Grant, which he described as a statutory entitlement for Himachal Pradesh, thereby adding to the state’s financial challenges.
Highlighting his government’s performance, Sukhu pointed to reforms introduced in the education sector, claiming they have significantly improved learning outcomes. He said Himachal Pradesh had slipped to the 21st position nationally in quality education during the previous government but has since climbed to the fifth position following reforms implemented by the present administration.
Healthcare was another area where the Chief Minister sought to draw a contrast with the previous regime. He said the state government has focused on strengthening public medical infrastructure and claimed that Himachal Pradesh has emerged as a pioneer in North India by introducing robotic surgery facilities in government hospitals, describing it as a major step towards modernising healthcare services.
Sukhu also levelled serious allegations regarding the implementation of the Himcare health insurance scheme during the BJP government’s tenure. Referring to alleged irregularities, he claimed that fraudulent medical claims, including hysterectomy procedures allegedly billed in the names of male patients, reflected systemic corruption involving nearly ₹1,000 crore. He said his government has adopted a policy of zero tolerance towards corruption and asserted that no corruption allegations have been levelled against the present administration during its three-and-a-half years in office.
The Chief Minister further alleged that around 5,000 bighas of land in the Baddi industrial area had been allotted to industrialists at highly concessional rates during the previous government without charging registration fees, claiming the transactions resulted in significant losses to the public exchequer.
Turning to employment, Sukhu criticised the Centre’s Agniveer recruitment scheme, arguing that it has failed to adequately safeguard the interests of young people seeking long-term career opportunities in the armed forces. He said the Himachal Pradesh government is focusing on creating stable employment opportunities within the state and highlighted the recent recruitment of 1,000 police constables. He added that recruitment for another 800 constable posts would commence shortly.
The Chief Minister also commented on the ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged NEET examination paper leak, describing it as a serious breach of students’ trust. He said accountability must be ensured and called for those responsible to step down. Referring to recent demonstrations in the national capital, Sukhu alleged that protesting students at Jantar Mantar were subjected to a police lathi-charge and criticised the reported detention of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. He also condemned the alleged treatment meted out to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi during the protests.
Appealing directly to Congress workers, Sukhu urged party cadres to actively communicate the government’s welfare initiatives and policy decisions to people across the state. He said greater public awareness would ensure that more citizens benefit from government programmes while strengthening public confidence in the administration.
Addressing the gathering, Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee President Vinay Kumar highlighted the 103-year legacy of the Congress Seva Dal, describing it as an organisation that has consistently contributed to the party’s organisational strength. He said the present government has accorded due respect to party workers and leaders, helping reinforce confidence within the organisation.
Vinay Kumar also criticised the reported treatment of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi during recent protests and announced that the Congress would organise demonstrations across Himachal Pradesh in response. He called upon party workers to remain united and continue strengthening the Congress organisation at the grassroots level.
The programme was attended by MLA Sudarshan Babloo, Himachal Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation Chairman and Congress Seva Dal Chief Anurag Sharma, Congress General Secretary Vinod Jinta, Himachal Pradesh Congress Seva Dal In-charge Jyoti Khanna and several senior party leaders and office-bearers.
The address reflected the Congress government’s attempt to frame its governance agenda around fiscal recovery, institutional reforms and welfare delivery while continuing its political criticism of the previous BJP administration over financial management, employment and governance issues.
Web Generated News Report.
