Shimla, Feb 11 (NationPress) Himachal Pradesh's Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has publicly accused the prior BJP administration in the state of misappropriating state funds and indulging in extravagant spending instead of focusing on development and infrastructure. The Chief Minister raised concerns regarding the BJP's justification of the 16th Finance Commission's findings on the halting of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), emphasizing that the BJP had availed a substantial Rs 54,296 crore in RDG during its tenure.

“This grant, which represented 25 to 30 percent of the state's overall revenue receipts alongside Rs 16,000 crore in GST (Goods and Services Tax) compensation, was primarily used for political patronage and giveaways, rather than ensuring the state's long-term financial stability,” CM Sukhu remarked to reporters after his visit to Delhi.

The Chief Minister elaborated on the significant disparity in financial aid between the two governments, indicating that while the BJP collected over Rs 54,296 crore over five years, the current administration has only received Rs 17,563 crore in three years, which is nearly half of what the BJP was allocated.

He noted that the BJP's funding included Rs 8,449 crore in 2018-19 as RDG under the 14th Finance Commission, Rs 8,271 crore in 2019-20, Rs 8,062 crore in 2020-21, an interim grant of Rs 11,431 crore, Rs 7,834 crore in 2021-22, and Rs 10,249 crore in 2022-23 from the 15th Finance Commission, summing up to Rs 54,296 crore.

In contrast, CM Sukhu pointed out that the current Congress-led government only received Rs 8,058 crore in 2023-24 during the 15th Finance Commission, Rs 6,258 crore in 2024-25, and Rs 3,257 crore in 2025-26, totaling Rs 17,563 crore, which is significantly lower than the BJP's RDG funding. Despite having access to considerable funds, the BJP administration did not clear employee dues or announce a dearness allowance (DA).

Moreover, CM Sukhu criticized the prior regime for its inadequate investment in health infrastructure, highlighting the current government's priorities which include a Rs 3,000 crore modernization initiative and an additional Rs 1,300 crore under JICA Phase-II to enhance healthcare delivery.

He described the financial condition inherited in December 2022 as one marked by a considerable debt and outstanding financial obligations. By the end of the BJP's tenure, the state's total debt had ballooned to around Rs 76,185 crore, rising by nearly Rs 28,000 crore in just five years.

This strain was worsened by a Rs 10,000 crore liability for revised pay scale dues and DA, which the Chief Minister termed a 'last-minute' political tactic executed without any budgetary allocations. The 'opening spree' of over 900 institutions in the BJP's final six months created an additional unfunded liability of Rs 5,000 crore, compelling the current government to shut down many of these entities to avert economic collapse.

In conclusion, CM Sukhu remarked that the BJP's current complaints regarding the state's fiscal situation are hypocritical, considering their past actions that compromised the state's treasury.