· Stop misleading the people of the state on RDG: Congress
· Accuses previous BJP government of economic mismanagement
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh and AYUSH Minister Yadvinder Goma have sharply attacked BJP MP Anurag Thakur, demanding to stop misleading the people of the state on the issue of discontinuing Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG). The ministers said that Anurag Thakur’s claim that the central government had decided to discontinue RDG 20 years ago is completely baseless. They challenged Anurag Thakur to make public even a single letter from the central government in this regard. They alleged that the BJP MP is distorting facts solely for political gain. They also asked him to clarify whether he supports the continuation of RDG in Himachal Pradesh.
They stated that RDG is a constitutional right of Himachal Pradesh, not a charity. They clarified that this provision is provided according to Article 275(1) of the Constitution. Congress leaders also alleged that economic mismanagement occurred during the previous BJP government, for which the state had to suffer. The ministers stated that the previous BJP government was responsible for pushing Himachal Pradesh into a debt trap. They said that Anurag Thakur and other BJP leaders should present their clear stance on the RDG issue to the people of the state instead of making random statements.
The ministers said that the Chief Minister has repeatedly talked about meeting the Prime Minister in Delhi with BJP leaders, but the BJP leaders are only interested in political gain. They said that the State government is serious about the state’s debt issue and is taking concrete steps in this direction. They said that the State government does not need Anurag Thakur’s advice. Both alleged that Anurag Thakur and the BJP State leaders are only busy grabbing media headlines and playing politics on this issue. The all-party meeting has exposed the BJP’s anti-Himachal face. The people of the state witnessed BJP leaders’ irresponsible approach, walking out of the meeting, making it clear that they have no concern for Himachal’s interests.
The ministers alleged that the state’s economic situation has deteriorated due to the financial mismanagement and wasteful expenditure of the previous BJP government. They said that during the BJP regime, the State received approximately Rs. 54,000 crore in RDG and Rs. 16,000 crore in GST, totalling Rs. 70,000 crore in financial assistance from the central government. However, instead of development, these resources were used to benefit contractors and favorites.
They said that the previous government constructed buildings worth more than Rs. 1,000 crore that now lie vacant. They also alleged that the former BJP government allotted land worth Rs. 5,000 crore in Nalagarh of Solan district, to its industrialist friends for a pittance. Under the guise of a “customized package,” cheap land was offered along with a 100 percent stamp duty exemption, but the government didn’t receive a single penny from the registry. Furthermore, a 100 percent electricity fee exemption was also provided for five years, along with electricity at the rate of Rs. 3 per unit, free water and a free warehouse. Isn’t this economic mismanagement?
The ministers said that BJP leaders making baseless allegations against the present government should first ask former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur why the State’s resources were squandered in this manner. They said that the present Congress government received only Rs. 17,000 crore in RDG in the last three years. Despite this, the State government maintained strict financial discipline and raised Rs. 26,683 crore from its own resources. They pointed out that despite limited resources, the government borrowed only Rs. 23,000 crore, while repaying Rs. 26,000 crore in interest and principal.
