Himachal CM Pleads for More Funds, But Will Delhi Listen?
Shimla, May 23:
With the hill state reeling under mounting financial stress and disaster recovery burdens, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu knocked on the doors of the Finance Commission in New Delhi on Friday, demanding an increase in central funds and special consideration for Himachal Pradesh’s unique challenges.
In a high-stakes meeting with Finance Commission Chairman Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Sukhu, accompanied by top state officials, submitted an additional memorandum and made a fervent plea to recognise the “ecological services” the state provides the nation.
From seeking a long-pending green bonus for maintaining forest cover and fragile ecosystems to highlighting the dent in revenues due to reduced GST compensation, the Chief Minister urged that the Centre must stop overlooking the hill states' genuine concerns.
“We are not asking for charity,” Sukhu reportedly asserted. “Himachal deserves its due for preserving the environment and bearing the brunt of natural calamities.”
He emphasized that the Revenue Deficit Grant must be enhanced instead of being gradually phased out — a move that would only deepen the fiscal crisis in the state.
Sources say the presentation made by state officials laid bare the stark contrast between Himachal’s financial needs and the current allocations. Yet, what remains to be seen is whether the Commission will convert assurances into action.
Dr. Panagariya assured that the Commission would “consider” the submission — a standard diplomatic response that did little to assure those concerned about the state’s deepening resource crunch.
The CM was accompanied by his top brass: Principal Advisor Ram Subhag Singh, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Principal Secretary Finance Devesh Kumar, and Secretary to CM Rakesh Kanwar.
Now the ball is in the Commission's court. Will Himachal get more than just polite nods and sympathetic smiles — or is it yet another routine Delhi visit with a heavy file and light outcomes?
#HimachalBudgetCrisis #FundTheHills #GreenBonusNow #GSTCompensationDemand
