Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, February 20
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has assured Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu that the party will strongly raise the issue of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) in the Lok Sabha. The assurance came during a meeting in New Delhi between the Himachal Pradesh leadership and the Congress high command. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge was also present at the discussions, which focused on the financial challenges facing the hill state following the reported discontinuation of RDG.
According to party sources, the Congress leadership expressed concern that stopping the grant could adversely affect Himachal Pradesh’s fiscal stability. They said the party would take up the matter in Parliament and demand restoration of the grant, describing it as the state’s rightful entitlement.
The meeting also discussed the broader economic implications for Himachal, including the impact of Free Trade Agreements (FTA) on the apple-growing economy. Leaders indicated that these issues would be highlighted both inside Parliament and through public outreach programmes in the state.
After the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said the state government would continue its efforts to secure the restoration of RDG. He added that the government may seek intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and, if required, organise protests in the national capital to press its demands.
The Congress leadership reiterated that it would pursue the matter vigorously, maintaining that the financial interests of Himachal Pradesh must be protected.
