Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, February 11
State BJP president Rajeev Bindal alleged that the government’s reliance on advisers had “pushed Himachal towards financial distress”. He claimed that development works had stalled while “favours worth crores of rupees” were extended to political associates.
Bindal also criticised the appointment of Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPS), which were later struck down by the court. He said the matter is now pending before the Supreme Court and alleged that the government has hired more than 100 lawyers, spending substantial public funds on legal representation. The state government has not publicly detailed the expenditure figures cited by the BJP.
The BJP further questioned government spending on new vehicles, appointments to boards and corporations, and publicity campaigns. It alleged that large sums were spent on hoardings and administrative expansion, while welfare commitments — including a monthly allowance promised to women — remain unfulfilled. On disaster relief, the BJP said that while thousands of crores were announced, only a fraction had been spent. It also accused the government of curtailing benefits under schemes such as Himcare and Sahara.
The Congress government, for its part, maintains that Himachal’s financial challenges stem from structural issues and debt accumulated over previous administrations. It has defended its fiscal decisions as necessary to stabilise the economy.
The debate over RDG is not new. Recommendations to phase out such grants have been discussed since earlier Finance Commission cycles. However, the issue has now become central to the political contest in the hill state, with both sides trading accusations over responsibility for the fiscal strain.
As Himachal Pradesh grapples with limited resources and rising expenditure, the dispute highlights the broader question of how the state plans to balance welfare commitments with fiscal discipline.
