Delhi witnessed a high-stakes fiscal dialogue as Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Sukhu directly appealed to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for comprehensive financial succour. The meeting addressed the hill state’s precarious budgetary situation, strained further by calamity-induced reconstruction demands.
In his presentation, Sukhu quantified the losses from recent natural disasters at over Rs 15,000 crore, stressing the inadequacy of insurance claims and current relief packages. He advocated for a dedicated ‘Himachal Resilience Fund’ modeled on disaster management best practices seen elsewhere.
Key requests included moratorium on debt repayments, front-loading of capital grants, and priority funding for all-weather road connectivity under Bharatmala Pariyojana. The CM also pitched for enhanced royalties from central hydropower projects operating within the state.
Sitharaman, known for her pragmatic approach, noted the Centre’s allocations via the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment and promised accelerated disbursals. She highlighted Himachal’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals as a basis for additional accommodations.
Beyond immediate relief, conversations veered towards sustainable revenue augmentation – digital economy boost, eco-tourism promotion, and organic farming incentives. This holistic dialogue reflects evolving federal financial partnerships.
For Himachal’s citizens, the stakes are profoundly personal: timely aid means restored schools, hospitals, and bridges connecting remote villages to markets. It also signals the Centre’s commitment to smaller states’ viability.
As budgetary consultations intensify ahead of the Union Budget, Himachal’s advocacy could influence allocation formulas for other vulnerable regions. Sukhu’s forthright appeal reinforces the imperative of equitable resource distribution in India’s diverse federal tapestry.