Himachal Pradesh Government Convenes All-Party Meeting to Address Fiscal Crisis
The Himachal Pradesh government has officially called for an all-party meeting on February 13 at the state secretariat in Shimla. This crucial gathering aims to deliberate on the significant impact of the Centre's decision to discontinue the revenue deficit grant (RDG), a move based on the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission.
Meeting Postponed to Ensure Broader Participation
Originally scheduled for February 8, the meeting was postponed following a request from Jairam Thakur, the leader of the opposition. Thakur informed Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu that he and several BJP MLAs were unable to attend due to pre-scheduled engagements. Emphasizing the importance of inclusive discussions, he urged for a rescheduling to guarantee broader participation from all political stakeholders.
In response, the state government has now dispatched formal communications to the heads of all major political parties, including:
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
- Communist Party of India (Marxist) - CPI(M)
- Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)
- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
Objective: Unified Stand on Fiscal Challenges
The primary objective of this all-party meeting is twofold:
- To apprise political leaders of the state's precarious fiscal situation resulting from the discontinuation of revenue deficit grants.
- To stress the necessity of a united stand in the larger interest of the hill state, fostering collaborative efforts to navigate the financial crisis.
Cabinet Meeting to Address Financial Crisis and Legislative Agenda
Simultaneously, a cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday will also feature discussions on tackling the ongoing financial crisis. In addition to other critical agenda items, the council of ministers is expected to decide on:
- The schedule for the second phase of the upcoming budget session of the legislative assembly.
- Legislative business to be addressed during this phase.
The first phase of the budget session is set to be held from February 16 to 18, marking a pivotal period for the state's budgetary and policy deliberations.
This coordinated approach underscores the Himachal Pradesh government's commitment to transparent governance and collaborative problem-solving amid fiscal challenges.
