Shimla, Sept 10,
The Himachal Pradesh Assembly held an intense discussion on Monday evening regarding the state’s deteriorating economic conditions, focusing on the mounting debt and liabilities that threaten to exceed one lakh crore. The debate, which extended until 8 PM and will continue under Rule 130 during Tuesday’s afternoon session, highlighted concerns from both the ruling Congress party and the opposition BJP.
The discussion was sparked by a resolution introduced by Congress MLAs Bhawani Singh Pathania, Chander Kumar, and Kewal Singh Pathania. Bhawani Singh Pathania argued that the state’s current financial woes are not the result of the present government’s tenure but are instead due to the previous BJP government’s failure to take prudent measures to curb expenses and boost revenue. He praised Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for proposing various initiatives to generate revenue, particularly by tapping into the state’s natural resources such as riverbeds and rivulets. However, Pathania emphasized the need for stricter measures, including deploying special guards to protect these resources from theft. He also called for the government to address pay anomalies, noting that 65% of the state’s revenue is spent on salaries and pensions, a burden that continues to grow.
Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur countered by defending the BJP’s record, pointing out that the central government had provided Rs 1800 crore for disaster relief following the recent rains. Thakur criticized the current government for its borrowing practices, warning that the state’s debt could soon reach one lakh crore. He stated that his administration had inherited a debt of Rs 48,500 crore from the previous Congress government and had taken on Rs 26,500 crore in loans over five years. Thakur dismissed claims that his government neglected employee dues, noting that two installments of DA were released before leaving office. He advised the Chief Minister to attend meetings of the NITI Aayog, GST Council, and Finance Commission to safeguard the state’s interests.
Industry Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan added to the debate by criticizing the previous BJP government for opening numerous institutions without adequate resources, labeling it a political gimmick. He pointed out that the establishment of new SDM offices and educational institutions had stretched the state’s finances, leading to the closure of some facilities by the current government. Chauhan urged all members of the assembly to unite in demanding more liberal funding from the central government to support Himachal Pradesh.
As the discussion continues, the state’s economic future remains uncertain, with both sides presenting differing views on how best to navigate the financial challenges ahead.
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