Stop the political claims, give us what’s due’: Himachal ministers hit back at Nadda
Himachal’s Education Minister Rohit Thakur and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani pushed back hard against Union Health Minister and senior BJP leader J.P. Nadda on Thursday. Speaking at a press conference, they made it clear that the people of Himachal Pradesh aren’t interested in political point-scoring or self-congratulatory speeches—they want facts and real results.
The two ministers acknowledged that Nadda is one of the most prominent leaders from the state in the central government. “That’s exactly why people’s expectations from him are so high,” they said. Himachalis expect their concerns, financial needs, and development priorities to be strongly voiced at the national level.
They pointed out that whenever the Centre and the state have worked together in sync, Himachal has progressed. Many of the state’s major educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and development projects were set up when a Congress-led government was in power at the Centre. Today, the state needs that same spirit of cooperative federalism—especially when it’s under financial strain, rebuilding after disasters, and facing growing developmental demands.
On the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) issue:
The ministers said one of the biggest blows to the state has been the discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant under Article 275(1) of the Constitution. For decades, Finance Commissions recognised the unique challenges of hill states and recommended support accordingly. Now, stopping this grant means Himachal loses over ₹8,100 crore every year. That’s a massive hole in the budget at a time when the state needs to spend heavily on education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social welfare.
On the 2023 natural disasters:
Himachal witnessed unprecedented destruction last year—roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, water schemes, everything took a hit. Losses ran into thousands of crores. The state government repeatedly asked for more relief and reconstruction support. Even the ₹1,500 crore announced by the Prime Minister hasn’t reached the state yet.
On healthcare funding:
There’s a big gap between what the Centre claims and what actually reaches Himachal, the ministers said. Under Ayushman Bharat, the Centre often talks about a 90:10 funding pattern for special category states. But in 2025-26, against claims of about ₹155 crore, the state received only around ₹49 crore from the Centre. Between 2018-19 and 2025-26, total treatment claims under health insurance schemes came to nearly ₹599 crore. The state government had to shoulder a huge extra burden from its own funds to keep treatments going. Despite financial stress, the current government recently released ₹100 crore to clear pending Himcare dues so that hospitals and patients don’t suffer.
On healthcare modernization:
Even with tight finances, the state has launched one of its most ambitious healthcare upgrades ever—investing nearly ₹3,000 crore in modern medical equipment and infrastructure. Advanced labs are coming up in Chamiyana, IGMC Shimla, and Tanda Medical College. Robotic surgery, PET Scans, advanced cancer treatment, trauma centres, and modern diagnostics are being expanded across the state.
On education:
Rohit Thakur said Himachal continues to punch above its weight despite financial challenges. In the recently released Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0, the state ranked 6th nationally and 3rd among all states, earning a place in the prestigious Prachesta-2 category.
On BBMB issues:
The ministers also raised concerns about the Bhakra Beas Management Board. Himachal has consistently asked for its rightful share as a stakeholder state—whether it’s water resources, power benefits, or financial interests. They want stronger support to protect the state’s legitimate rights.
Final message:
The ministers stressed that they aren’t asking for any special favours—only what is constitutionally, legally, and financially due to the people of Himachal. The state needs steady support, timely financial help, and a genuine partnership to deal with the unique challenges of being a hill state.
“Political differences are part of democracy,” they said. “But senior leaders from the state who are now at the national level should avoid making negative or misleading remarks that hurt Himachal’s interests.” They urged Nadda to rise above party politics and use his influence to secure more financial assistance, disaster relief, and development projects for the state.
