Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday held discussions with MLAs from Kullu, Mandi and Shimla during the first session of the second day of MLA Priority Meetings for the financial year 2026–27. The meeting focused on the development priorities of the respective constituencies.
The Chief Minister said that during the last three years, the present state government has generated Rs 26,683 crore in revenue from its own resources. He said the state earned a financial benefit of about Rs 401 crore from acquiring ownership of the Wildflower Hall Hotel and is expected to earn around Rs 20 crore annually from it.
He said that due to the efforts of the present government, the royalty share for the Karcham-Wangtoo Hydropower Project has increased from 12 per cent to 18 per cent, which would provide the state with an additional income of nearly Rs 150 crore every year.
The Chief Minister further said that under the 15th Finance Commission, Himachal Pradesh received a total of Rs 37,199 crore as Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), which was released in a gradually decreasing manner. The state received Rs 10,249 crore in 2021–22, Rs 9,377 crore in 2022–23, Rs 8,057 crore in 2023–24, Rs 6,249 crore in 2024–25 and Rs 3,257 crore in 2025–26.
He said the decision of the 16th Finance Commission to discontinue the RDG would result in a loss of nearly Rs 50,000 crore to Himachal Pradesh. He termed the decision unjust for a hill state with difficult geographical conditions and said it would adversely affect development works, welfare schemes, and the payment of salaries and pensions. He urged the Central government to restore the RDG and provide special financial assistance, keeping in view the state’s unique circumstances.
Sukhu said that to promote border tourism and allied activities, initiatives have been started at the Shipki La Pass on the India-China border. He said that although the Union Budget 2026–27 announced a “Buddhist Circuit” for the North-Eastern states, Himachal Pradesh, which is a major centre of Buddhist culture, has been excluded, which he termed discriminatory and a step-motherly treatment to the state.
He said that despite having world-famous tourist destinations, no specific budgetary provision has been made for tourism development in the state.
The MLAs from different districts took up their area-specific demands during the meeting.
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu during the first session of the second day of MLA Priority Meetings on Saturday.
Also Read: Political heat in HP over sudden RDG withdrawal
Follow us
