Himachal MLAs Question Gap Between Promises and Reality on Central Funding
In a candid press conference held in Dharamshala, MLAs Ashish Butail and Bhawani Singh Pathania voiced serious concerns over what they described as a widening gap between the Centre’s announcements and the financial assistance actually reaching Himachal Pradesh.
The leaders highlighted that while senior BJP figures and Union Ministers have repeatedly claimed generous support for the state, the reality on the ground tells a different story. They stressed that the people of Himachal Pradesh deserve clarity on why there is such a noticeable mismatch between what is promised and what is delivered.
Referring to recent remarks by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, the MLAs said these claims need closer examination and factual verification. According to them, several statements around Centre-State financial relations simply don’t align with actual figures.
One key example they cited was the Ayushman Bharat scheme. While the Centre claims to bear 90% of the costs for special category states like Himachal Pradesh, the numbers suggest otherwise. In 2025–26 alone, health claims amounted to around ₹155 crore, yet the Centre contributed just ₹49 crore—far from the expected share. This shortfall, they said, forces the state to dip into its already limited resources.
Looking at a broader timeline from 2018–19 to 2025–26, the MLAs pointed out that total treatment claims stood at nearly ₹599 crore. Of this, the Centre contributed only about ₹310 crore, leaving the state to shoulder an additional ₹247 crore. These figures, they argued, clearly expose a gap between official claims and actual financial support.
The MLAs also raised pointed questions for former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur regarding the discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG). They asked why, if he was aware as early as 2019–20 that RDG support might end, no preparations or long-term financial strategies were put in place. They suggested that either this information was withheld—which would be a serious lapse—or the BJP’s current claims are politically motivated.
They further noted that during discussions with the 16th Finance Commission, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and his team consistently advocated for continuing RDG support, as was done under the 15th Finance Commission. At no point, they said, was there any indication that the grant would be completely withdrawn.
Highlighting the financial legacy of the previous BJP regime (2017–2022), the MLAs pointed out that despite receiving substantial funds through RDGs and GST compensation, the state was left with a debt of nearly ₹75,000 crore. They questioned where these funds were spent and why critical liabilities—such as employee dues—remained unresolved. They also asked what lasting infrastructure or institutions were created during that period.
Another issue they raised was the delay in the ₹1,500 crore disaster relief package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Despite extensive damage assessments following the devastating floods of 2023 and 2024, the funds have yet to reach the state. The MLAs clarified that detailed reports and utilisation data had already been submitted, making claims of missing documentation misleading.
They also addressed confusion around the JICA project, explaining that it is an externally funded initiative. Despite approvals being in place, funds are still awaited, forcing the state government to finance critical healthcare upgrades—including robotic surgery infrastructure, advanced equipment, and CT scans—from its own resources.
On the positive side, the MLAs highlighted steps taken by the current Congress government over the past two and a half years. These include hiring specialist doctors, improving medical facilities, and introducing advanced technologies like robotic surgery, which they believe will significantly improve treatment outcomes for serious illnesses like cancer.
They emphasized that the government is focused on restoring financial discipline by cutting unnecessary expenditure and strengthening key public institutions such as the Electricity Board and Transport Corporation. According to them, these reforms are already showing encouraging results.
In conclusion, the MLAs asserted that much of the BJP’s criticism appears politically motivated rather than rooted in genuine concern for the state. They expressed confidence that the people of Himachal Pradesh can see through the rhetoric and recognize the efforts being made despite financial challenges.
They reiterated that the government’s goal remains clear—to overcome fiscal constraints while delivering better healthcare, improved education, and stronger infrastructure. At the same time, they insisted that the Centre must address unanswered questions regarding delayed funds, unfulfilled promises, and the gap between its announcements and actual support reaching the state.
