Veteran politician and former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar has made the decision to forgo the electricity subsidy, aligning with Himachal Pradesh’s efforts to manage its ongoing economic challenges. This move follows a call by current Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, urging wealthier residents of the state to voluntarily relinquish the subsidy to help ease the state’s financial strain.

Kumar’s decision reflects his continued commitment to supporting the Chief Minister’s initiative for fiscal responsibility. As part of his contributions, Kumar also presented several key recommendations to enhance the state’s financial health. He proposed that while the subsidy should remain for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, a 50% reduction in subsidies for other residents could generate much-needed additional revenue for the state.

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Furthermore, Kumar emphasized the importance of fiscal discipline across government departments. He recommended a 10% reduction in non-plan expenditure, which would help achieve significant savings and allow the state to better manage its financial resources.

In addition to these recommendations, Shanta Kumar called for the formation of a committee of experts tasked with exploring strategies to increase the state’s financial resources. His suggestions are designed to create a more sustainable fiscal environment for Himachal Pradesh as it faces ongoing economic difficulties.

Kumar’s decision to relinquish the subsidy has been followed by several other ministers and MLAs, marking a unified response to the Chief Minister’s call for financial austerity. As the state grapples with its fiscal challenges, these measures underscore a growing consensus among political leaders to prioritize the economic stability of Himachal Pradesh over personal benefits.