Union Budget 2026 : ‘Budget pushes Himachal into deeper financial turmoil’: Congress Deputy Chief Whip

Congress Deputy Chief Whip in the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, Kewal Singh Pathania, on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Union Budget, calling it a “betrayal” of the people of Himachal Pradesh and alleging that it has pushed the hill state into deeper financial distress.

Pathania said the Budget failed to address the state’s pressing financial challenges and made no provision for disaster relief funds, revenue deficit grants or any special financial package, despite Himachal having suffered massive losses due to repeated natural disasters in recent years.

“The Centre has completely ignored the genuine financial needs of Himachal Pradesh. At a time when the state is struggling to recover from consecutive disasters, the Budget offers no support,” he said.

He pointed out that Himachal Pradesh found only a single mention in the Budget, limited to the development of eco-sensitive trekking sites, which he termed “cosmetic and grossly inadequate” in the face of the state’s severe fiscal crisis.

Expressing concern over the apple economy, Pathania said the Budget’s silence on increasing import duty on apples had come as a major setback to local growers. “Enhancing import duty was the need of the hour to protect domestic farmers, boost local production and promote exports. Apple growers have been completely let down,” he said.

The Congress leader also alleged neglect of the pharmaceutical sector, a key contributor to Himachal’s economy. “No concrete incentives or policy measures have been announced to strengthen the pharma industry in the state,” he added.

He further criticised the absence of any allocation or roadmap for rail infrastructure development in Himachal Pradesh, stating that improved rail connectivity was crucial for long-term economic growth and regional integration.

Terming the Budget “weak and visionless”, Pathania claimed that the fall in the share market reflected declining confidence in the Union government’s economic planning. He alleged that the Budget appeared to favour a select group of businessmen.

“The reduction of penal punishment for tax defaulters from seven years to two years clearly indicates whom the Budget is designed to benefit,” he said.

Pathania asserted that the Union Budget had failed to address the aspirations of Himachal’s people and warned that it would further aggravate the state’s financial turmoil.

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