Shimla, Mar 9
State Congress unit blamed Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur for misleading the people on the issue of loans raised by the government thus hiding its failure to properly manage the finances.
In a press statement issued here today Leader of Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri said that BJP Govt. is time and again flouting FRBM act which is against the spirit of finances. This year Govt. of India in the central budget has announced that the fiscal deficit should not increase more than 4 p c inspite of this, the Himachal Govt. estimated the fiscal deficit for 2022-23 to be 4.98 pc. This proves the inexperience of Jai Ram government in financial management, which is pushing the state towards brink of bankruptcy.
Earlier Govt. raised loans but it was because of meager funds devolution by 14th finance commission as the then government did not prepare a proper and realistic document presented to the Commission. Congress paid for the failure of the BJP government to get sufficient deficit grants and the liability increased every year. But the document presented to 15th finance commission was a well prepared document by congress Govt. presenting the real picture of financial position and liabilities. The present government would have received sufficient funds as per its claims.
The government should admit that financial position worsened due mismanagement or publically admit that the central government did not give funds to the state as per the recommendations of 15th finance commission. The government should bring white paper on total funds received from 14th finance commission and the funds released by the centre as per the recommendations of 15th finance commission till date to clear the confusion, he added.