Exclusive: On green path riddled with red signals: A interview with HP CM Sukhu
Vishal Sarin/ Shimla, Dec 10
In the challenging landscape of governance, the Congress led Himachal Pradesh Government embarked on a formidable journey, encountering both anticipated and unforeseen challenges during its inaugural year. Leading the state through financial constraints and the weight of promises made in the electoral arena, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu found himself navigating a terrain akin to a double-edged sword.
The state’s coffers were bare, contrasting sharply with the assurances proclaimed by the Congress party during their victorious campaign. As if that weren’t enough, the inaugural year witnessed the state grappling with the most severe rain-related disaster in its history. Amidst these diverse trials, CM Sukhu, in his maiden term, shouldered the responsibility of steering the government through the myriad of challenges.
In this context, Himachalscape editor, Vishal Sarin, engaged in a conversation with CM Sukhu, seeking insights into the current state of affairs and the future objectives of the administration. The interview offers a nuanced understanding of the prevailing circumstances and sheds light on the aspirations of the Sukhu Government.
Reading between the lines CM did not deny the burden to state coffers with Rs 10800 Cr loan in his one year tenure but he seems passed the buck on the previous BJP rule by attributing pending liabilities towards employees tune to Rs 11000Cr including release of DA, IRA and pending due of implementation of recommendation on account of Sixth pay commission. The veiled defence of CM not emphatically clear but maybe partly correct as the current government alone, could not be blamed for the financial mismanagement and great extent of relying on the borrowing.
However, as the government navigates the turbulent waters, the report card of the Sukhu administration may not be without its blemishes. While not devoid of accomplishments, it remains shadowed by unfulfilled promises, leaving the populace hopeful that these commitments will transform into tangible realities in the near future. This interview thus, serves as a reflective foreword, inviting readers to delve into the intricacies of Himachal Pradesh’s governance and the promises that echo within its corridors of power.
Ques1
Sukhu bhai..last year in Dec when you took over the government, you had a vision of making HP debt free in 5 years and then navigating it to a green balance sheet. Sir, in 2022 you were a 1st time CM, with not much firsthand experience of running a govt. However now it has been a year, and we are hopeful that you have a clear roadmap in mind to achieve the same? Can you take us through it?
Ans
As you are well aware that when the present State Government took over, we also inherited a loan burden of over Rs. 75000 crore that due to the financial mismanagement and wasteful expenditure made by the previous BJP Government, the economy of the State was completely derailed.
The BJP government even denied the rights of the employees which have accumulated to Rs.11,000 crore. The previous BJP Government in the fag-end of its tenure announced opening and up gradation of over 900 institutions in the State with an eye on the general elections. The State would require about Rs. 5000 crore for smooth functioning of these institutions but the previous Government did not make a provision of single penny for proper functioning of these offices. The economic condition of the state deteriorated due to such financial mismanagement of the former BJP government.
Yes, I have resolved to make the State free of the entire debt in five years and have also explored ways as how to generate revenue for the state by avoiding wasteful expenditure.
We have committed to make Himachal as the ‘Green Energy State’ by the year 2026 and various measures have been taken in this direction. Launching e-vehicles besides harnessing Solar energy is the main focus of the Government to make the State self-sustainable in its Green initiatives. We have imposed ‘Water Cess’ on the power projects which are harnessing the vast potential of our perennial rivers for many years. A water cess committee has been formed for this.
It was in the interest of the state that the present government approved an auction-cum-tender system for excise retail vends. Through this process, the auctioned vends saw a 40 percent increase compared to the previous financial year’s policy, amounting to Rs. 1806 Crore against Rs. 1296 Crore. If the present government had continued the previous BJP government’s policy of renewing liquor vends with a 10 percent hike, the state would have suffered an annual loss of approximately Rs. 530 Crore.
Apart from this, developing six national and state highways as green corridors, fifty percent subsidy to private bus operators for e-buses, 50 percent subsidy to truck operators for the purchase of e-trucks and a provision of Rs 25,000 as subsidy for purchase of e-scooties for 20,000 meritorious girl students is seen as a historical step towards achieving a target of Green State by 2026. Our government is to provide a 40 percent subsidy for setting up solar power projects, thus exploring avenues of self employment for the youth of the State.
We have started the Rs. 680 crore Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-up Scheme. In the first phase, 500 permits will be issued for e-taxi and the number of permits can be increased in future depending upon the demand. To provide a fixed source of income to the unemployed youth, e-taxi will be made available to the government departments, local authorities, autonomous bodies, boards, corporations and government undertakings in a phased manner.
This will save a huge amount of money, besides the collection of water cess will undoubtedly contribute towards the economy of the State.
In a move to drive the adoption of eco-friendly transportation, the state government has taken a significant decision, during a recent cabinet meeting, as the Vehicle owners are now eligible for a one-time waiver of Motor Vehicle Tax, along with associated interest and penalties, if they choose to scrap their old vehicles at a Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility (RVSF). This attractive incentive will be valid for a one-year period, aiming to motivate owners to responsibly dispose of their vehicles in line with existing environmental norms.
I want to state here that we have disbanded the Staff Selection Commission playing with the future of the youth of the State, to which the BJP gave a blind eye and promoted corruption. We wanted such institutions to be closed which sheltered corruption during the BJP regime and brought the culprits to book.
Ques 2
Reading many countrywide media reports in the past we can evaluate your claim that the Central government’s 100 percent support for HP has been missing since a Cong led govt made it to power here.
To run the state in such a situation, debt becomes a critical element. Especially when 2023 also witnessed unprecedented rain related disasters also. But, you recently made a statement saying that your government has taken only 4100 cr loan till date whereas opposition BJP has sighted a RTI that details month wise debt taken by the current government which is 10800 cr. Sir, Can you throw some light on it as to why your claim and the BJP acquired RTI information do not match?
Ans
I will answer your question with the facts here. As you know the natural calamity in the State shattered the economy and left a trail of destruction behind. Over 430 lives were lost, both the public and the Private property was destroyed massively. The State Government announced a relief package of Rs. 4500 crore to provide relief to the disaster hit from its own resources. We enhanced relief funds in the relief norms upto 25 fold.
Over and above, we urged the central BJP leadership, even the Prime Minister and Home Minister to announce the Natural Calamity in the State as the National Disaster, but they didn’t pay any heed to our requests. The loss due to disaster in the State was enormous, but without any assistance from the Union Government we managed all on our own and with our own resources.
We created the Aapda Rahat Kosh, in which apart from the other States, we received huge response from the people of the State. The children broke their piggy banks to contribute, the pensioners, the employees, the political figures besides people from all walks of life came ahead to help the disaster affected. All contributed towards the Relief fund generously.
Seeing children and every section of society contributing towards the Fund, I also parted with my life saving of Rs 51 lakh as a gesture to help the disaster affected. There was an extraordinary display of compassion and solidarity by the people of the State in the hour of crisis.
When the Government announced State Disaster in the Vidhan Sabha this year, the BJP State leaders were tight lipped on this and also on our request to ask the central government to declare the Calamity as National Disaster, the BJP leaders didn’t support the cause. It was quite clear from this that they were more interested in settling the political scores, rather than the welfare of the people of the State.
Even the Members of parliament from Himachal didn’t plead the case with the central leadership for a special package to the State due the hour of crisis.
Ques 3
Beyond OPS which affects only a percentage of population (1.36lac) of the State, what other govt launched schemes, in your opinion have positively affected the non govt employee citizens of the State?
Ans
Sukh Ashray’. Why do you forget this? Immediately after taking oath as the Chief Minister, you know I headed straight to the Orphanage to enquire into the well being of the children residing there. We started the schemes for the destitute children, orphans and even the elderly. Under the Mukhya Mantri Sukh-Ashray Yojana, we have taken a pledge to provide support to the dependent and vulnerable sections of the society. Under the scheme, the state government will provide monthly pocket money of Rs. 4,000 to orphan children up to 27 years of age, rupees one lakh for coaching, three biswa of land and rupees three lakh for house construction, rupees two lakh as grant for marriage and rupees two lakh as grant for setting up micro and small industry. Sukh-Ashray Fund has also been formed under the Chief Minister Sukh Ashray Yojana. We also provided festival allowance to the orphans and inmates of Bal Ashrams, the state Government has released the festive allowance of Rs. 500 each for such children to light up their Deepawali festivity etc.
The state government is not taking welfare decisions for the sake of enjoying power but with the resolve of ‘Vyavastha Parivartan”.
Fulfilling the guarantee, we gave Rs. 1500 each to the women residing in Lahaul and Spiti, and this will be given to all the women folks district wise as promised.
We have yet fulfilled the Guarantee to cater to the Youth. The Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-up-Yojna, in which Rs. 680 crore will be spent in a phased manner to provide subsidy for e-vehicles as I have told before.
For bringing qualitative change in the education system, we thought of introducing English medium in four schools initially but we have announced introducing English Medium in all the Government Schools from Class 1st.
Ques 4
Talking about the guarantees which got Cong to power in the State. Which guarantees have been fulfilled and which ones are left? How soon will the rest of the guarantees be delivered to the Public?
Ans.
I have just replied.
Ques 5
Sir, today we are standing at a crossroads of saving the environment at one end and on the other end creating a developed infrastructure for the growing state population is a challenge. Shimla is a glaring example of it, where in lack of any development plan haphazard construction took place and has completely messed up the heritage town. Recent rain led disasters have thrown evident light on the fact that how bad the impact can be of such development. Sir, my question is that when after 50 years as a state we are struggling to get a development for capital Shimla till date, then how do you foresee the future of other upcoming cities and towns of HP? Do you intend to make development plans for all big/small cities/towns of HP, so that in future the State can witness sustainable development?
Ans.
We will come up with a concrete plans for developing urban areas and also ban on constructions along the river belts within the fix parameter.
Ques 6
About Hattee reservation. Though a segment of citizens from Transgiri are for reservation, a few (SC and Gujjars) don’t want it. In fact the matter has also knocked the door of the HP High court. What is your government’s take on it? And why is there a delay in implementation of the same?
Ans.
My Ministers are regularly holding meetings with the ‘Hattees’ to address their concerns and our government makes sure that these people get their rights.
Ques 7
Now talking about the party. Reports keep surfacing that certain leaders who expected cabinet rank have been ignored. Speculations about cabinet expansion do arise now and then, but on ground nothing. What do you want to say about this?
Ans.
The decision of cabinet expansion would be taken soon after the discussion with the senior leaders of the congress party.
Ques 8
In light of the recent electoral loss of the Congress party in 3 states, where do you think the Congress party stands as of today. What is your outlook for HP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls?
Ans
It is for the first time that Hamirpur Parliamentary Constituency has a Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister. We are equally strong in the rest of the three Lok Sabha Seat of the state. Congress workers in the state are working tirelessly for strengthening the party starting from the block level. We are positive about winning all four seats from Himachal.
We won in Telangana with a huge margin and in the rest of states we were a close second. Unfortunately we lost, but there was hardly any difference in the vote share. We can see that trust in the people of India regarding the guarantees of the congress party and its policies, is continuously rising. The party will definitely emerge victorious in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Ques 9
In the end many congratulations for completing one year in Government. What is your message for the citizens of the State?
Ans
With the resolve of ‘Vyavastha Parivartan’, the state government is running various schemes for the welfare of the people of the state. For the success of these schemes and other new initiatives of the government we need equal contribution from all the sections of the society. Our government is focussed to make Himachal the fastest growing economy in the country and also a leading example in all the sectors be it Education, Health, Roads, Tourism, Green Energy or Industry. People bestowed a lot of faith in our party by making us victorious in the assembly elections and I promise the people of the state that our government will keep no stone unturned to live up to the expectations.
I have a message to the general public that the present government is going with the strong will to achieve the targets. Some sections may be dissatisfied with our tough decisions, which were necessary in the interest of the state in the long run to make the state self-reliant. I hope that we will continue to get the support of the people of the state.
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