Shimla witnessed sharp political exchanges as Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur took aim at CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, urging him to cease ‘lying to mislead the public’ on Revenue Deficit Grants post-Union Budget. Thakur methodically debunked the narrative of central bias against Himachal.
Universal in scope, the grant’s phase-out follows Finance Commission wisdom, impacting all states alike. Sukhu’s state-centric grievance warps reality, Thakur charged, overlooking the budget’s pan-India framework.
Leveraging experience, Thakur chronicled successes: Rs 40,000 crore under 14th Commission (vs. Rs 7,800 crore before), topping national charts via diligent lobbying. The 15th’s reductions mirrored global recoveries from COVID.
He faulted Sukhu for tepid advocacy, unlike robust defenses by other states. Consequently, grim advisories loom: subsidy eliminations, recruitment bans, infrastructure freezes, and funding gaps nearing Rs 7,000 crore.
Thakur’s legacy? Strategic deployment into flagship programs delivering clean water, healthcare via HimCare, family aids like Sahara and Shagun, and connectivity boosts. Current opacity fuels public unease—pensions, salaries, rural essentials hang in balance.
A call for candor: Present the fiscal blueprint for autonomy amid cuts. Long Congress mismanagement bred indiscipline; now, with discord in ranks, can Sukhu deliver? Himachal demands reality over rhetoric.