Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur has strongly criticised the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government in Himachal Pradesh, accusing it of pushing the state into a serious financial crisis. His remarks have triggered a fresh political debate over the economic condition of the state.
Speaking to the media after returning from New Delhi, Thakur said he recently met Narendra Modi and discussed the financial situation of Himachal Pradesh in detail. He added that important issues were discussed during the meeting and that the Prime Minister may visit the state soon.
Thakur claimed that the current government’s policies have weakened the state’s economy. According to him, poor financial decisions and unnecessary spending have created a difficult situation for the state treasury. He rejected the state government’s claim that the Centre is responsible for the crisis by withholding funds.
Instead, Thakur said that better communication and cooperation with the Union government could have helped improve the situation. He suggested that the state government has failed to engage constructively with the Centre, which has added to the financial challenges.
One of the main points raised by Thakur was the alleged misuse of public funds. He accused the state government of spending large amounts of money on hosting political leaders while claiming that the state is facing a financial shortage.
He mentioned that several Congress leaders from different states were given “state guest” hospitality in Shimla. According to him, this included long stays and expensive arrangements, which put an unnecessary burden on the state’s finances. He claimed that around ₹30 lakh was spent in just two days on hosting legislators from Haryana.
Thakur argued that such spending sends the wrong message to the public. On one hand, the government claims that it does not have enough funds to meet basic needs, while on the other hand, it is spending money on political activities.
He also said that the government should focus on managing resources carefully and prioritising essential services. According to him, financial discipline is necessary to bring the state out of its current situation.
The former chief minister warned that if the current policies continue, the state may face even bigger economic challenges in the future. He stressed the need for immediate corrective steps to stabilise the financial condition.
The ruling Congress party has strongly rejected Thakur’s allegations. State Congress president Vinay Kumar accused Thakur of misleading the public about the financial condition of the state.
Vinay Kumar said that the current financial challenges are actually the result of decisions taken by the previous BJP government led by Thakur. He claimed that when the Congress government came to power, it inherited a huge debt of more than ₹70,000 crore.
In addition, he said that there were pending liabilities of over ₹10,000 crore related to employees. Despite this heavy burden, the current government has worked to clear dues and provide relief to people affected by natural disasters.
He also pointed out that the state government managed to carry out rehabilitation work for families affected by disasters, even without receiving adequate financial support from the Centre. According to him, this shows the government’s commitment to public welfare.
Responding to Thakur’s meeting with the Prime Minister, Vinay Kumar said that it would have been more useful if he had requested the Centre to release pending funds. He specifically mentioned the need to restore the state’s revenue deficit grant and release ₹15,000 crore that was earlier announced for disaster relief.
The exchange of statements between the two sides reflects the ongoing political tension in the state. Both parties are trying to present their version of the financial situation, leading to a sharp divide in opinions.
Experts believe that financial challenges in hill states like Himachal Pradesh are often complex. Limited resources, high dependence on central funds, and the impact of natural disasters make it difficult to maintain a stable economy.
In such situations, cooperation between the state and central governments becomes very important. Effective financial planning, responsible spending, and timely support from the Centre can help improve the situation.
In conclusion, the debate over Himachal Pradesh’s financial condition has intensified with strong statements from both the opposition and the ruling party. Jai Ram Thakur has blamed the current government’s policies for the crisis, while the Congress has pointed to the legacy of past decisions.
The truth likely lies in a combination of factors, including past debts, current policies, and external challenges. As the political debate continues, the focus should remain on finding practical solutions to improve the state’s financial health.
For the people of Himachal Pradesh, the most important issue is ensuring economic stability and development. How the government addresses these challenges in the coming months will play a key role in shaping the state’s future.
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