Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed disappointment with the Union Budget 2026-27, labeling it as anti-poor and anti-farmer. He criticized Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for neglecting the state’s concerns and priorities, particularly highlighting the absence of meaningful Revenue Deficit Grants (RDGs) recommended by the 16th Finance Commission.
Sukhu emphasized the significance of state-specific grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, which were discontinued for the first time by the 16th Finance Commission. He noted that previous commissions had provided substantial RDGs, with approximately Rs 37,000 crore allocated during the 15th Finance Commission period. Despite Himachal Pradesh’s unique challenges as a hill state, including high forest cover and frequent natural disasters, the absence of adequate RDGs could impact the state’s ability to deliver public services and maintain fiscal sustainability.
The Chief Minister highlighted the need for targeted support in areas like hydropower development, eco-tourism, and compensation for GST-related revenue losses. He stressed the importance of continued RDGs beyond the current Finance Commission period to ensure fiscal balance, essential service delivery, and social welfare commitments in Himachal Pradesh.
