Shimla, Feb 4 (PTI): Leader of Opposition in Himachal Pradesh, Jai Ram Thakur, has accused the Congress-led state government of reckless spending despite the prevailing financial crisis. Addressing the issue on Tuesday, the former chief minister alleged that the debt burden has escalated significantly under the current administration.
Thakur highlighted that when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assumed power in 2017, the state’s loan liabilities stood at approximately ₹50,000 crore. By the time the BJP government exited in 2022, the debt had risen to around ₹69,000 crore. However, under the present Congress government, he claimed, the liabilities have surged to nearly ₹1 lakh crore, with ₹30,000 crore borrowed in just two years—exceeding the loans taken during the BJP’s five-year tenure.
The BJP leader further asserted that his party would strongly challenge the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government on financial mismanagement during the upcoming Budget session. He criticized the administration for misallocating central funds meant for infrastructure development, diverting them instead toward salaries and pensions.
"The state government is unable to contribute its 10 percent share towards Centre-sponsored projects, causing a halt in development initiatives," Thakur stated. He also referenced a recent letter from the Railway Board chairman to the Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary, warning that work on key projects would be stalled if the state fails to meet its financial obligations.
Thakur further lambasted the Congress government for allegedly prioritizing political benefits over fiscal responsibility. He pointed out that despite being fully aware of the state's financial crisis, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and his deputy proceeded with populist measures, including distributing freebies to secure votes. Additionally, he accused the government of unnecessary expenditures by appointing Chief Parliamentary Secretaries and granting cabinet ranks to close associates of the CM.
"Now, the Congress leaders are lamenting the financial crunch they have created themselves," Thakur remarked, emphasizing the BJP’s determination to hold the government accountable for its financial policies in the upcoming legislative session.
