Himachal Pradesh Government Reaffirms Commitment to Old Pension Scheme Amid Central Funding Cuts
In a strong declaration of intent, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has asserted that the state government remains unwaveringly dedicated to continuing the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and other public welfare programs. This commitment comes despite the significant financial challenge posed by the central government's withdrawal of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG).
Resource Mobilization to Safeguard Public Rights
Addressing media representatives before departing for Delhi to attend a Congress party meeting, CM Sukhu emphasized that the state will proactively mobilize its own resources to protect the legitimate rights and entitlements of its citizens under all circumstances. He firmly dismissed opposition claims, stating that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were in power, it would replace the OPS with the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), thereby stripping government employees of their current financial security.
The Chief Minister assured that his administration would never compromise on the interests of the people, highlighting a stark contrast in governance priorities between the current and previous regimes.
Allegations of Financial Mismanagement Against Previous BJP Government
Sukhu launched a pointed critique against the previous BJP-led government under Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, accusing it of severe financial mismanagement during its tenure from 2018 to 2021. He alleged that despite receiving substantial funds—approximately Rs 54,000 crore as RDG and Rs 16,000 crore as Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation—these resources were misused, particularly to benefit contractors.
Specific examples cited included nearly Rs 1,000 crore spent on constructing buildings that now stand vacant and unused, representing a significant waste of public money. In contrast, Sukhu noted that his government has received only Rs 17,000 crore in RDG over the past three years, yet it has maintained strict fiscal discipline. He proudly mentioned that the state generated Rs 26,683 crore from its own resources and is implementing additional measures to strengthen the economy.
Call for Support and Warning Over Grant Withdrawal
The Chief Minister called on the BJP to support the state's demand for its rightful share from the Centre, terming the withdrawal of RDG under Article 275(1) as discriminatory. He warned that this move would result in an annual loss of nearly Rs 10,000 crore, severely impacting the small hill state's financial stability and development prospects.
To address this critical issue, Sukhu announced plans to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek the restoration of the RDG, underscoring the urgency of the matter for Himachal Pradesh's welfare.
Invitation to Opposition and Clarification on Engagement
In a move to foster transparency and dialogue, Sukhu revealed that he had sent a personal letter to the Leader of the Opposition, officially inviting BJP MLAs to discuss the financial implications of the RDG discontinuation. However, he noted that they did not attend the meeting, highlighting a missed opportunity for bipartisan discussion on a matter of state importance.
This comprehensive stance by the Himachal Pradesh government underscores its determination to uphold public welfare initiatives despite fiscal constraints, while also holding the previous administration accountable for alleged financial irregularities.
