Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu reiterated the state’s dedication to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and various public welfare programs, even after the Central government withdrew the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG). Sukhu assured that the state would sustain these initiatives using its own resources to safeguard the rights of the people. He criticized the Opposition’s claim that the BJP would have replaced OPS with the Unified Pension Scheme, potentially jeopardizing government employees’ security.
Drawing from his personal background, Sukhu empathized with public concerns and pledged to protect their interests. While acknowledging the Finance Department’s role in managing fiscal matters, he emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing resources for the state’s progress. Sukhu accused the previous BJP government of financial mismanagement from 2018 to 2021, highlighting alleged misuse of funds on construction projects.
The Chief Minister contrasted the current government’s disciplined financial approach with the previous administration’s spending practices. Despite receiving less RDG in recent years, the present government has focused on economic stability and plans to implement stringent measures for economic growth. Sukhu urged the BJP to support the state’s rights and criticized the withdrawal of the RDG as detrimental to Himachal Pradesh’s budget.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the grant’s discontinuation, Sukhu labeled it as unfair treatment by the Centre and vowed to fight for the state’s share. He challenged the Leader of the Opposition’s claims regarding a financial briefing invitation, providing evidence of outreach to discuss the RDG’s impact. Sukhu called for unity among stakeholders beyond political differences to advocate for the state’s welfare.
