Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, February 19
The state BJP has accused the Congress government of using the closure of Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) as a political excuse, amid a growing row over public finances. Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur said the government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was “fighting to save its chair” rather than addressing the state’s financial challenges.
The dispute follows the discontinuation of RDG support, which had been provided to bridge gaps in state revenues. The ruling Indian National Congress has criticised the central government over the issue, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) says the responsibility lies with the state administration.
Jairam Thakur said the BJP was not opposed to RDG itself but to what he described as attempts to shift blame. “The government cannot pass on responsibility for its failures,” he said, adding that if it sought opposition support, it should also ensure fair conduct in the state assembly.
He alleged that the Congress government had failed to present a strong case before the 16th Finance Commission, leading to the discontinuation of the grant. He also questioned figures presented by the chief minister regarding borrowing and debt repayment, claiming there were inconsistencies in statements made in the assembly on different dates.
The BJP leader further argued that during the tenure of the previous BJP government, the state had managed debt more prudently. He claimed that the current administration had accumulated significant borrowings within three years and accused it of “wasteful expenditure”.
he said the 15th Finance Commission had described RDG as a temporary arrangement and suggested the state government should have reduced spending accordingly.
The Congress government has not yet responded to the latest remarks.
