Mandi: BJP's national general secretary Tarun Chugh's today's address in Mandi, purportedly aimed at explaining the Union Budget’s merits, appeared more like a PR exercise than a genuine discussion on Himachal Pradesh’s pressing issues.
While Chugh elaborated on broad national schemes and figures, he conveniently sidestepped the key concerns of the state—concerns that the Sukhu-led Congress government has repeatedly flagged, accusing the Centre of step-motherly treatment.
No Himachal-Specific Data, Only Central Rhetoric
Chugh’s speech revolved around Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ and the so-called game-changing nature of the budget. He talked about major national schemes like Ayushman Bharat, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and the Jal Jeevan Mission.
But he failed to provide any specific numbers on how Himachal Pradesh has benefitted or suffered under these schemes.
His sweeping claims—such as 80 crore people receiving free food grains or 14.6 crore homes getting tap water—might make for good optics but do little to address Himachal's real concerns.
The Sukhu Government’s Allegations: Unanswered Questions
The Congress government in Himachal has time and again raised the issue of the Centre withholding crucial funds meant for disaster relief, pension schemes, and other welfare measures. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has specifically pointed out:
• ₹9,000 crore pending under the New Pension Scheme (NPS)
• Non-release of disaster relief funds despite severe losses due to floods and landslides
• Alleged discrimination in GST compensation and centrally sponsored schemes
Yet, Chugh made no mention of these concerns. Instead, his speech remained fixated on BJP’s national achievements, as if local grievances did not matter.
Disaster Relief: Why the Delay?
Himachal Pradesh faced one of the worst natural disasters last monsoon, with massive losses due to cloudbursts, landslides, and floods.
The state government has been pleading for adequate financial assistance from the Centre, but the response has been lukewarm at best. Chugh’s speech, rather than addressing this pressing issue, was conspicuously silent on whether Himachal will receive its due share of disaster relief funds.
Is the Budget Truly a ‘Game-Changer’ for Himachal?
If the Union Budget was truly a ‘game-changer,’ as Chugh claims, why did he fail to explain its direct benefits for Himachal Pradesh?
His emphasis on national schemes does not change the reality that the Modi government has allegedly sidelined Himachal on crucial allocations.
Without addressing the concerns of state-specific funding gaps, the BJP’s outreach effort in Mandi seems more like a political posturing exercise than a genuine attempt to engage with stakeholders.
