Himachal Pradesh News
Himachal Pradesh Received Record Central Aid but Funds Were Inefficiently Utilised: BJP’s Rajeev Bindal
Himachal BJP president Rajeev Bindal alleged that the Congress government has mismanaged record Central funds and is blaming the Centre to cover administrative failures.
Himachal BJP president Rajeev Bindal alleged that the Congress government has mismanaged record Central funds and is blaming the Centre to cover administrative failures.
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh BJP president Rajeev Bindal on Saturday said the real issue confronting the state was not a shortage of funds but the “inefficient utilisation” of record financial assistance provided by the Central Government.
Addressing a press conference, Bindal accused the Congress government of attempting to shift blame onto the Centre to conceal what he termed administrative failures, financial mismanagement and stalled development works.
“The Central Government has provided record financial assistance, yet development works in the state remain stalled. Why should the Centre provide money to fulfil the guarantees given by the Congress before the last Assembly elections?” he asked.
Questions Over All-Party Meeting
Referring to Friday’s all-party meeting convened to discuss the proposed discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), Bindal said the seriousness of the discussion was undermined by the absence of key ruling party leaders.
He claimed that the state Congress president, Deputy Chief Minister and several ministers were not present, raising questions about whether the meeting aimed at consensus-building or was intended for political messaging.
Central Tax Share and Financial Support
Bindal said the visible development in Himachal Pradesh was largely attributable to Central grants. He pointed out that the state’s share in central taxes had increased from about 0.830 per cent to 0.914 per cent, which he claimed would translate into approximately ₹13,950 crore in 2026 — nearly ₹2,450 crore more than the previous year.
He further stated that Himachal had received nearly ₹2.12 lakh crore from the Centre through tax devolution, centrally sponsored schemes, multilateral assistance, NABARD funding, the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, and other development heads.
According to Bindal, the state also received ₹46,000 crore for the construction of four-lane highways.
Allegations of Administrative Failures
Despite these inflows, Bindal alleged that institutions had been shut down, pensions and allowances delayed, and public welfare schemes curtailed.
“The BJP has always placed Himachal’s interests above politics and will continue to raise issues of public welfare,” he added.
The Congress government has maintained that the discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant would significantly affect the state’s finances and has accused the BJP of not supporting Himachal’s rights before the Centre.
