SHIMLA: BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan has termed the Himachal Pradesh budget as a hollow document full of misleading figures.
He said the Chief Minister made tall claims, but left the common people empty-handed. "Instead of providing relief, the budget has only added to the burden of the people and the state," Mahajan remarked bluntly.
Mahajan said, "There should have been a clear policy for outsourcing employees. The meager hike in wages of daily wagers, outsourced workers, Anganwadi and ASHA workers is nothing but a lollipop. What the employees need is a clear roadmap for regularization, which the budget completely ignores.
The CM has disappointed lakhs of employees and the people of the state."
Mahajan also criticized the announcement of a 3% DA hike and temporary relief for pensioners above 70 years. "The budget doesn’t even mention the pending DA installments. At this rate, it will take decades to clear the government’s liabilities.
If the courts direct the government to pay arrears with interest, the crisis will worsen," he warned.
Raising concerns over education and healthcare, Mahajan added, "The growing drug abuse in schools needs urgent attention, but the budget is silent on it. There's no concrete plan to improve the quality of education.
Even basic medical facilities like MRI and PET scan machines are missing in many hospitals, but the budget ignores this reality. There is also no serious plan to tackle the menace of stray cattle."
Citing the Economic Survey released before the budget, Mahajan said the state's economic condition is deteriorating.
"The growth rate has increased by a mere 0.1%. The revenue deficit is estimated at Rs 6,390 crore and the capital deficit at Rs 10,338 crore.
The government expects revenue receipts of Rs 42,343 crore against expenditure of Rs 48,733 crore next year. This will further push the state into a financial crisis," he claimed.
“The Chief Minister is busy selling dreams through his speeches, while the reality on the ground is completely different. The people of Himachal are losing faith in this government," Mahajan claims.
