Shimla: BJP State Media Coordinator Karan Nanda said that the Congress government is spreading unnecessary confusion among the public and government employees over the issue of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG). He said the BJP has never claimed that the government will fall, nor has it said anything about stopping salaries, pensions, or ending the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
Karan Nanda clarified that BJP leaders have only asked party workers to stay prepared for upcoming elections, which is a normal organizational activity. He said the Congress is wrongly presenting this as a threat to the government.
He said that after the withdrawal of RDG, the Chief Minister himself appears worried as the government was depending heavily on this grant. Instead of presenting a clear financial plan, the government is creating fear among employees and the public.
The BJP leader said that confusion about DA, TA, and employee benefits worth around ₹13,000 crore came from the government’s own financial presentation, which was shown publicly and reported in the media. He said the BJP is now being blamed to hide the government’s failure.
Karan Nanda also said that other Congress-ruled states did not oppose the closure of RDG, but Himachal Pradesh Congress is using it only for political gains. He questioned the government’s promise of a “self-reliant Himachal.”
He advised the government to reduce wasteful expenditure, cut unnecessary privileges, and control spending, as was done during the tenure of former Chief Minister Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal. He said that large convoys, increased protocol, and costly positions should be reviewed.
Karan Nanda said the state’s rising debt and fiscal deficit, which has reached 42 percent, is a serious issue caused by the present government’s policies. He added that the BJP is ready to provide constructive cooperation to improve the state’s financial condition.
On the issue of increased MLA salaries, he said the Chief Minister should clarify how many MLAs have actually received the revised salary, stating that the government is making announcements without implementation.
