Congress Ministers Urge JP Nadda to Push for Pending Central Funds and Support
Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh have expressed concern over what they describe as a lack of adequate Central support for Himachal Pradesh, despite BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda holding a key national position.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the ministers said they were pleased to see Nadda in such an influential role, but felt disappointed that the state’s pressing financial issues were not being strongly taken up with the Union Government.
They pointed out that although the Prime Minister had announced a ₹1,500‑crore relief package for families affected by recent natural disasters, the state has yet to receive the funds. They also highlighted that ₹9,200 crore deposited under the National Pension Scheme (NPS) remains withheld by the Centre.
According to the ministers, the state’s borrowing limit was reduced by ₹1,600 crore after Himachal restored the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), resulting in a cumulative loss of ₹4,800 crore over the past three years. They said that while the state acknowledges the assistance mentioned by Nadda, he must also recognize that withholding the state’s share has increased Himachal’s financial burden.
They further blamed the Centre for the state’s financial stress, citing a sharp reduction in the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) and a steep drop in the state’s loan limit—from ₹10,949 crore in 2021–22 to ₹3,257 crore in 2025–26. Most of the state’s current borrowings, they said, are being used just to pay interest.
The ministers added that the Centre had withdrawn an additional borrowing window of ₹1,600 crore. They noted that a Central team had assessed Himachal’s 2023 monsoon losses at around ₹9,000–9,500 crore, and the state had submitted a claim of ₹9,042 crore under the PDNA framework. However, the state is still awaiting nearly ₹10,000 crore under PDNA, along with the earlier announced ₹1,500‑crore package.
They emphasized that the state government has already provided ₹4,500 crore from its own resources to support disaster‑affected families, without receiving any special package from the Centre.
The ministers urged Nadda to intervene and ensure that Himachal’s concerns are addressed promptly. Being from Himachal Pradesh, they said, the state expects him to play a stronger role in securing the support it needs.
