BJP Says GST Reforms Will Not Reduce Himachal’s Revenue

Claims 14% annual growth in state earnings

BJP national spokesperson Gopal Krishna Agarwal today asserted that Himachal Pradesh will not suffer any revenue loss from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms. Instead, he said, the state will continue to see a 14% annual increase in revenue.

Speaking to the media, Agarwal said, “Himachal Pradesh earns ₹9,375 crore annually from GST, which translates into a 14% year-on-year revenue growth. The GST and IGST reforms will not cost the state a single rupee in losses.”

He added that in 2023–24, Himachal Pradesh received ₹5,339 crore as its share of GST and ₹2,845 crore from IGST, totaling ₹9,375 crore through GST collections.

Agarwal further explained that Himachal also receives significant support grants. “The state got ₹14,942 crore in the form of aid and grants. In 2023–24, Himachal received ₹24,317 crore from the central government. Considering the state’s annual budget of around ₹50,000 crore, nearly half of it comes directly from the Centre,” he said.

Accusing Congress leaders of spreading misconceptions, Agarwal stressed that the central government has consistently stood shoulder to shoulder with the state. He pointed to previous years’ GST receipts to illustrate steady growth: ₹4,753 crore in 2020–21, ₹7,349 crore in 2021–22, and ₹7,883 crore in 2022–23.

“These are not small figures. To claim that Himachal is suffering losses due to GST is simply not true,” Agarwal said.