The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Himachal Pradesh government of misleading the public about the financial support it is receiving from the Centre. The comments came from BJP national spokesperson Gopal Agarwal during a press conference in Shimla on Monday, where he strongly criticized the state government for what he called “fiscal mismanagement” and “false narratives.”
According to Agarwal, the Himachal Pradesh government has repeatedly blamed the Centre for its financial crisis and shortage of funds. However, he argued that the reality is very different. He said the state’s growing debt and inability to pay salaries on time are a result of its poor financial planning, not a lack of support from the central government.
Addressing the media, Agarwal said that Himachal Pradesh has been spending a very large portion of its budget on non-productive expenses. “Nearly 39% of the total budget goes to paying salaries, 23% is spent on pensions, and another 15% on interest payments. When so much of the budget is locked in these areas, the government is left with very little money for development,” he explained.
He further added that the state government cannot simply blame the Centre for its troubles. “Blaming the central government alone will not change the truth. The people of Himachal deserve to know that it is because of the state’s fiscal mismanagement that there is a crisis,” Agarwal said.
Citing figures, he mentioned that Himachal Pradesh received ₹14,942 crore in grants-in-aid from the Centre during 2023 and 2024. “If the Congress government in Himachal is still complaining of not receiving funds, then they should answer where this money has gone. The central government is standing shoulder to shoulder with Himachal Pradesh, and yet, instead of acknowledging this, they are creating false stories of discrimination,” Agarwal remarked.
He also highlighted that the Centre has continued to provide support even as the state faced natural disasters and economic challenges. According to him, the BJP-led central government has always prioritized Himachal Pradesh and its people, but the state leadership is failing to use the money properly.
The remarks quickly drew a strong response from the Himachal Pradesh government. Naresh Chauhan, the principal media adviser to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, rejected the BJP’s claims and said that the Centre has failed to provide adequate financial assistance to the disaster-hit state.
Chauhan argued that the state is not asking for any special favors but is only demanding its rightful share. “The GST share that we receive is not a gift from the Centre, it is our legal right. The state is suffering huge losses, but the BJP government at the Centre has failed to give us any special grant,” he said.
He further stressed that the state government has been requesting a special financial package to deal with the damages caused by natural disasters, but the Centre has not shown seriousness. “The people of Himachal are facing difficulties due to floods, landslides, and other natural calamities. In such a time, the state requires extra help, but instead of extending support, the BJP is trying to shift the blame,” Chauhan added.
The Congress government has also accused the BJP of ignoring the real problems of the state. According to them, rising debt, heavy losses due to disasters, and increasing financial responsibilities cannot be solved by ordinary grants alone. They argue that Himachal needs a well-structured relief package that goes beyond routine financial support.
The BJP spokesperson also used the occasion to highlight the importance of GST reforms, saying that they have played a key role in strengthening India’s economy. He said the reforms will continue to accelerate economic growth and benefit states in the long run.
However, Congress leaders in Himachal disagree. They maintain that while GST has created a uniform system, it has also caused losses to producing states like Himachal Pradesh. They argue that the Centre must acknowledge these losses and provide compensation, instead of claiming that everything is running smoothly.
The exchange between the BJP and the Himachal Pradesh government shows the growing political tension over financial matters in the state. While the BJP insists that the Centre is providing enough help, the Congress-led state government believes it has been ignored and unfairly treated.
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The debate over financial assistance is not new. Himachal Pradesh, a small hill state, has long struggled with high expenditure on salaries and pensions. With limited revenue sources, it depends heavily on central funds to manage its budget. Natural disasters in recent years have further worsened the financial strain, making the state even more dependent on external support.
The BJP’s claims and the Congress government’s counter-arguments are likely to intensify in the coming months, especially with elections approaching. For now, the people of Himachal Pradesh remain caught in the middle of this political battle, waiting for effective solutions to their financial and developmental challenges.
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