Tensions soared in Himachal politics as Jairam Thakur, ex-CM turned opposition chief, delivered a blistering critique of CM Sukhu’s handling of the Union Budget fallout. At the heart: Sukhu’s alleged misinformation on the Revenue Deficit Grant closure, which Thakur branded a nationwide policy, not a targeted snub.
‘It’s absurd to claim Himachal alone suffers,’ Thakur asserted. Rooted in Finance Commission directives, this affects every state. Sukhu’s rhetoric misleads, ignoring the budget’s holistic national scope.
Thakur’s tenure shines in context: Post-2014, under the 14th Commission, Himachal clinched Rs 40,000 crore against prior Rs 7,800 crore. The 15th saw gradual cuts amid pandemic woes, yet his team maximized gains through strong advocacy—outpacing most states.
Criticizing Sukhu’s approach, Thakur decried the lack of consultation and poor Commission presentation. ‘Karnataka and Telangana pushed hard; why not us?’ The fallout? Finance secretary’s dire projections: subsidy axe on essentials, job freezes, project halts, Rs 7,000 crore deficit.
Thakur contrasted his prudent spending—channeling funds into Grihini Suvidha, HimCare, Shagun schemes, road expansions, and universal water access. His five years transformed infrastructure; now, under Sukhu, transparency lacks, sparking anxiety over pensions, pay, and services.
The opposition urged factual discourse over blame-shifting. Himachal eyes self-sufficiency strategies amid subsidy threats and stalled development. With a restive cabinet despite numbers, Sukhu’s leadership faces scrutiny. People yearn for truth in this economic tightrope.