SHIMLA: In the ongoing session of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha today,
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced the delay of salaries and allowances for himself, ministers, and Chief Parliamentary Secretaries by two months due to severe financial challenges.
He outlined the state’s dwindling revenue, citing a reduction in revenue deficit grants and pending funds from the central government, including GST compensation and NPS contributions. Sukhu also urged all MLAs to voluntarily delay their salaries to contribute to the state's financial stability.
The session was marked by heated debate as opposition members protested against the excise policy, leading to a walkout.
Sukhu stressed that the state government is striving to enhance revenue and cut down on unproductive expenses, but the effects of these efforts will take time to materialize.
The state's financial woes have been exacerbated by the reduction in revenue deficit grants, which dropped from ₹8058 crore in 2023-24 to ₹6258 crore this year, with an additional ₹3000 crore reduction expected in 2025-26.
Furthermore, the state has not received any funds from the ₹9042 crore Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) amount promised by the central government.
The absence of GST compensation since June 2022 has further strained the state's finances, costing the state ₹2500-3000 crore annually.
Additionally, the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) has resulted in a reduction of borrowing capacity by about ₹2000 crore.
The Chief Minister's call for collective sacrifice reflects the severity of the state's financial crisis, as the government seeks to negotiate these challenges while ensuring the delivery of essential services and fulfilling its commitments.
Sukhu emphasized the importance of public service, stating, "In our culture, there is no greater religion than serving the people, as taught by our scriptures and spiritual leaders.
To protect the state's financial interests, we have voluntarily decided to delay the payment of our salaries and allowances by two months.
We urge all esteemed representatives to support this decision in the public interest, ensuring the state's continuous development.
This step is crucial for safeguarding public welfare, and with your active participation, we will elevate the state to new heights."
One of the highlights was the introduction of a bill to raise the minimum marriage age for women from 18 to 21 years, presented by Women Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil.
The bill aims to promote gender equality and educational opportunities for women.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu highlighted the benefits of raising the minimum marriage age for women, stating, "By increasing the marriage age, young women will have the opportunity to focus entirely on their education and careers.
This will not only make them economically independent but also mentally empowered. This decision will enrich both their lives and society as a whole."
Additionally, discussions around environmental concerns and the state's financial health were also prominent in the assembly today.
Replying to the BJP Members Sukhu cited figures of excise policy saying that the BJP regime committed a big liquor scam without auctioning the vends.
"The previous BJP government has left a dark stain of corruption on the state. In five years, they managed to generate only ₹665 crore in revenue. In contrast, our government has already generated ₹485 crore in revenue in just one year," said the Chief Minister.
He said, "Understand this difference—who is working with honesty and transparency." time he said
MLAs from both the ruling party and the opposition exchanged sharp words on these issues, reflecting the political oneupmanshop within the state.(With inputs from agencies)
