Amid the ongoing political battle over the withdrawal of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), Himachal Pradesh BJP president Rajiv Bindal on Wednesday launched a strong attack on the Congress-led Sukhu government. He accused it of pushing the state towards financial collapse due to “economic mismanagement and favouritism.”
Speaking to reporters, Bindal stated that the Sukhu government had wasted public money over the past three years and failed to fulfil the promises it made.
"On the advice of its advisors, the Sukhu government has drowned itself. In three years, development works were halted, and crores of rupees were distributed among friends," Bindal alleged.
He claimed that the state’s financial situation has become fragile and that the government is now using the RDG issue as an excuse to step back from its poll promises.
"Under the pretext of RDG being stopped, the Sukhu government now wants to distance itself from its false guarantees," he added.
Bindal further alleged that soon after coming to power, the government appointed Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPS) through “illegal means,” which were later struck down by the court. “Even after the court order, the government did not stop, and the matter is now before the Supreme Court, where crores of rupees are being paid to lawyers,” he said.
He also said that the state government has hired nearly 105 lawyers and spent crores on legal fees. He said senior advocates from outside are still being engaged for serious cases.
“A large army of lawyers has been deployed in court. New vehicles are being purchased. The number of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons in boards and corporations has crossed 50, with crores being spent on them," he alleged.
"In this government of friends, it is necessary to be a friend--even if one is only qualified to become a panchayat pradhan," he added.
Speaking on disaster relief, he said the government announced Rs 4,500 crore during the disaster, but only Rs 165 crore has been spent so far. He added that over 5,000 hoardings were installed after the government took office, costing crores of rupees.
“Women have not received the promised Rs 1,500, but huge hoardings have been put up,” he said. Bindal said that after assuming office, the Chief Minister started by attacking the Centre. “If the financial situation was so bad, why were guarantees worth thousands of crores announced? Lies were told only to gain power,” he said.
“Even by selling Himachal, they cannot pay Rs 1,500,” Bindal further claimed. He also said that the current financial crisis is the result of three years of poor financial management. “If there is a financial crunch today, why were institutions shut over the past three years? Why were benefits under Himcare and Sahara Yojana reduced? Not a single road has been built from the government’s own funds, and now they are crying over RDG,” he said.
Bindal pointed out that the proposal to discontinue RDG has been under consideration since the 12th Finance Commission. He alleged that the Sukhu government came to power by making false promises and has now pushed the state towards bankruptcy.
Also Read: Leopard claws, teeth seized from jewellery shops; 6 arrested
Follow us
