SHIMLA: Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu came to power three years ago with the promise of Vyastha Parivartan. He spoke of a clean system. He pushed the idea of Atam Nirbhar Himachal.
But three years down the line, the Sukhu government is wrestling with fund crunch as the arrears of employees, medical bills are still pending.
No doubt, the government restored OPS. It had announced six guarantees when the party had gone to the polls.
It promised one lakh jobs every year. Women were promised ₹1,500 per month.
Expectations rose fast for the last three years. But the state’s debt was already ₹85,,000 crore, when he took over in December 2022.
The situation worsened as GST compensation ended. Himachal lost nearly ₹9,500 crore. The Revenue Deficit Grant also dropped hard.
The RDG came down to ₹3,257 crore. The total loss over three years touched nearly ₹15,000 crore. This hit the state’s finances directly.
Sukhu explained the numbers in the Winter Session. Twenty-five paise of every rupee goes to salaries. Twenty paise goes to pensions. Interest takes 12 paise. Loan repayment takes 10 paise. Only 24 paise remains for development.
By the third year, the gap between promise and reality widened. Debt crossed ₹1,04,729 crore. Borrowing in two years touched ₹29,046 crore to keep the state running.
But the tight fiscal discipline in place, the central funds cannot be used at the convenience of the state now.
CM approached the Centre seeking the finance ministry to increase the state's borrowing limit. But there is no greenlight coming in from the centre.
Most of this money went into clearing old loans. Nearly 70 per cent. Not into new development.
The government highlighted gains to paint the rosy picture of the its atam nirbhar image. The government claimed the Liquor auctions brought nearly ₹2,500 crore extra in three years.
The government claimed the Schools, hospitals and tourism were upgraded. But things did not move as they were desired in the face of tight financial situation.
Sukhu blamed the Centre for not getting BBMB dues despite the Supreme court directing Harayana and Punjab to pay Himachal's dues on account of its 7.19 per cent share.
It blamed the Center for no eco-service compensation or green cess that would get extra revenue to the state. The state also blamed the Modi government for delayed disaster aid despite the PM had announced Rs 1500 Crore relief package for Himachal in Dharamshala during the 2025 natural disaster.
But the ground situation was tough. Development has slowed. Medical reimbursements piled up. Contract workers waited for relief. Farmers struggled with stray cattle. Unemployment stayed high.
Scores of PWD and Jal Shakti projects, many of them complete, remained stalled due to nonpayment to the contractors as the Centre has not released funds to the state on one or other ground.
The BJP hit back. It accused the government of breaking its promises. It called these three years “Vyastha Patan.”
Now Congress gathers at Paddal Maidan in Mandi. It must answer tough questions. Can the state reduce debt?
Can it raise new revenue? Can it fund guarantees without more loans? Can it monetise eco-services and recover BBMB dues?Three years tell a clear story. Ambition hit financial limits. Promises met shrinking grants.
The dream of Atam Nirbhar Himachal remains a far-fetched reality so far. Sukhu changed the political language. But the job is only half done.
The Mandi rally now becomes crucial. Himachal waits for answers. And the next two years will decide the fate of the Vyastha Parivartan. It will be over to people of Himachal.
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