August20
Shimla: Former Himachal Pradesh BJP president and MP Suresh Kashyap on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and the Congress government, saying the Chief Minister should focus on the state’s deteriorating financial condition, rising debt and stalled development instead of questioning BJP MPs.
Speaking to the media during the foundation day programme at the CPRI headquarters, Kashyap said BJP MPs did not need a “certificate” from the Chief Minister regarding their role and responsibilities.
“BJP MPs know their constitutional and political responsibilities. We do not need to learn from the Chief Minister where and how to raise the issues concerning Himachal Pradesh,” he said.
Kashyap claimed that whenever issues related to Himachal Pradesh were raised before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government, the Centre had extended support to the state.
He also accused the Congress government of seeking financial assistance from the Centre while continuing to criticise it politically. He said the state government was receiving benefits under several central schemes, including assistance under the 90:10 funding pattern available to special category states.
Government Should Work Towards Self-Reliance, Says Kashyap
Responding to questions over the revenue deficit grant, Kashyap said the arrangement was temporary and questioned the Congress government’s economic claims.
He said the state government had been promising to make Himachal self-reliant by 2027 and among the most developed states by 2030, while blaming the Centre for its financial problems.
“If the government genuinely wants to build a self-reliant Himachal, it must increase revenue, control unnecessary expenditure and reduce its dependence on borrowings,” he said.
Kashyap alleged that the state was being pushed towards an economic crisis due to increasing debt.
Cut ‘Friends’ Army’, Not Officers: Kashyap
On the proposal to reduce the cadre strength of IAS, IPS and other officers, Kashyap said the government was attempting to cut expenditure in the wrong areas.
He alleged that instead of reducing the strength of officers, the government should cut down on what he termed the “army of friends” and unnecessary political appointments.
“Administrative officers play an important role in governance and development. The government should bring discipline in unnecessary expenditure instead of reducing the strength of officers,” he said.
BJP Has Only One Faction, Says MP
Rejecting allegations of factionalism within the BJP, Kashyap said the party had only one faction—“the Bharatiya Janata Party”.
He claimed that the results of recent panchayati raj and urban local body elections had indicated the political mood of the state and said the BJP had received widespread public support.
Kashyap also claimed that the party had established its leadership in three of the state’s four municipal corporations.
Himcare a ‘Boon’ for Poor Patients
On the Himcare health scheme, Kashyap said the programme had provided financial security to lakhs of needy families and should not be weakened or discontinued.
“If there are irregularities in the implementation of the scheme, they should be investigated and those found guilty should face strict action. But the entire scheme should not be weakened or shut down on the basis of suspected irregularities,” he said.
Kashyap urged the Congress government to focus on Himachal’s financial challenges and development rather than political confrontation.
He said the government should strengthen welfare facilities for the poor, control debt and unnecessary expenditure, and accelerate development in the state.
