Himachal received five times more assistance under Modi government : Jairam Thakur
Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur, while addressing a press conference, said that ever since the Congress government came to power in Himachal Pradesh, it has continued to receive substantial financial support from the Centre, yet it keeps making serious remarks against the Central Government and the Prime Minister in an attempt to divert public attention. He stated that the real issue is not whether the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) was mentioned in the Union Budget, but the fact that even when the state was receiving RDG, the government continued to claim financial distress.
He said that after the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission, if RDG has been discontinued, it is the responsibility of the present Congress government to manage finances effectively and take the state forward. Blaming the Centre or previous governments for its failures cannot solve the problem. If the government is unable to handle the situation, it should honestly admit it before the people, he added.
Assembly Proceedings and Opposition Protest
Referring to Assembly proceedings, Thakur said that discussion on the Motion of Thanks after the Governor’s Address is both a rule and a convention. However, the government was determined to introduce a political resolution on RDG. The opposition participated in the debate and highlighted the failures of the government’s three-year tenure with facts. He alleged that during the Chief Minister’s reply, several figures were presented incorrectly, and when the opposition sought an opportunity to clarify facts, permission was denied. In protest, BJP MLAs were compelled to enter the well of the House.
Thakur reiterated that the BJP stands firmly for the interests of Himachal Pradesh and that the state’s welfare is paramount. If RDG has been stopped, the government must also understand that its failure to present its case effectively may have contributed to the situation. He emphasized that political speeches alone cannot resolve economic challenges; sound policy and fiscal discipline are essential.
Financial Concerns and Future Warnings
He stated that the Chief Minister himself has repeatedly admitted that the state may face increasing financial stress, making it difficult to fulfil guarantees, continue development works, and meet commitments related to salaries, pensions, and dearness allowance. Instead of politicising the issue, the government should focus on solutions.
Citing Finance Commission data, Thakur said that during the UPA regime, Himachal received around ₹18,000 crore under the 12th and 13th Finance Commissions, whereas under the leadership of Narendra Modi, the state received about ₹89,254 crore under the 14th and 15th Finance Commissions — more than five times higher. He said this clearly shows when real injustice to Himachal occurred.
Questions Over Loan Figures
Thakur also pointed out contradictions in the Chief Minister’s statements in the Assembly on 18 February 2026. He said that one day the Chief Minister claimed the state had taken ₹23,000 crore in loans and repaid ₹26,000 crore, while the next day he stated that ₹35,400 crore had been borrowed and ₹27,043 crore repaid. Additionally, in a written reply in the Assembly on 26 August 2025, the government had stated that it had taken ₹26,830 crore in loans and repaid ₹8,253 crore. For FY 2025–26, a provision of ₹10,200 crore has been made for repayment of principal and interest. He questioned how the public can trust such conflicting figures.
He added that claiming repayment of over ₹19,000 crore within seven months appears unrealistic, especially when such repayment provisions are not reflected in the budget.
Comparison with Previous Government
Thakur clarified that borrowing itself is not unusual, as all governments borrow according to need, but misrepresenting facts is serious. He said that during the BJP government’s tenure, about ₹40,672 crore was borrowed and approximately ₹38,276 crore repaid, meaning most of the debt was serviced. He also stated that in the final financial year, the BJP government still had borrowing capacity of about ₹6,500 crore but chose not to utilise it.
He alleged that soon after assuming office, the current government took loans of about ₹6,900 crore and attempted to attribute them to the previous BJP government, which he described as misleading. He questioned why, despite such large financial transactions, the government continues to create an atmosphere of crisis.
Jairam Thakur concluded that the BJP is always ready to cooperate in the interest of the state, but if attempts are made to present a distorted picture of Himachal Pradesh’s finances for political gain, the party will respond with facts and data. He added that if the government expects cooperation from the opposition, its conduct must also be responsible and democratic.
