Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, February 2
The Congress on Monday accused the central government of ignoring the hill state at a time when it is struggling to recover from natural disasters. While addressing the press conference, State Congress president Vinay Kumar described the budget as “anti-Himachal”, alleging that the state had been treated unfairly. He said Himachal Pradesh, which suffered extensive damage due to recent disasters, had received no meaningful relief despite assessments showing losses of around ₹20,000 crore.
He further said that the state had expected support through the 16th Finance Commission and an increase in the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG). Instead, he claimed, the RDG had been reduced to zero, which he described as a serious blow to the state’s finances.
The Congress leader also criticised the budget for what he called a lack of clarity on employment generation and alleged that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) had been “virtually sidelined”. He said announcements related to tourism were largely symbolic, arguing that trekking routes mentioned in the budget already exist in Himachal Pradesh.
Railway expansion, another long-standing demand of the state, also failed to find a place in the budget, he said . Accusing the centre of step-motherly treatment, he questioned the role of Himachal MPs, including Anurag Thakur, saying they had failed to effectively raise the state’s concerns.
Calling the budget day a “black day” for Himachal Pradesh, he said that the Revenue deficit grant was the state’s right and that it was the responsibility of elected representatives to defend it. He added that even a relief package of ₹1,500 crore had not been provided.
The Congress said it would bring a resolution on the issue in the upcoming budget session of the state assembly and would also urge BJP leaders to raise Himachal’s demands with the central government.
