Jai Ram Thakur addresses Press after BJP state executive meeting in Mandi . Sukhu Government has borrowed Rs 40000 Crore in three and Half Years . "Himachal has left with Rs 5 out of Rs 100 for development under his rule"..
Mandi/Shimla: Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Sukhu led Congress government, accusing it of pushing Himachal Pradesh into a deep financial crisis while making “contradictory and misleading claims” about the state’s future.
Addressing a press conference in Mandi today after the BJP’s state executive meeting in Mandi, Thakur said the state’s financial condition has worsened to the point where “not even ₹5 out of every ₹100 is left for development.”
State surviving on loans
Thakur alleged that the present government has resorted to excessive borrowing and mismanagement. “When we left office, the state’s debt was around ₹69,000 crore. In just three-and-a-half years, the current government has added over ₹40,000 crore. Today, Himachal’s total debt has crossed ₹1.1 lakh crore,” he claimed.
He further said that while the BJP government maintained an average annual borrowing rate of around 7.2%, the current regime has pushed it beyond 13%. “The pace of borrowing has nearly doubled, which is financially dangerous,” he added.
“Loans even to pay interest and salaries”
Painting a grim picture, the former Chief Minister said the state is now dependent on loans even to service existing debt. “The situation has reached a stage where loans are being taken to repay principal and even to pay interest,” he said.
He also pointed out that the government has indicated its inability to pay arrears, dearness allowance, and may even withdraw subsidies. “If a government admits it cannot pay employees’ dues, may stop subsidies, and halt recruitments, it clearly reflects administrative and financial failure,” Thakur said.
Contradictions in government claims
Taking a dig at Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Thakur highlighted contradictions in the Budget speech. “On one hand, the Chief Minister says Himachal can never become a self-reliant state, and on the other, he claims it will become the richest state by 2032. These statements contradict each other,” he said.
Allegations of targeting BJP schemes
Thakur accused the government of trying to discredit welfare schemes launched during the BJP regime. Referring to allegations of irregularities in the HIMCARE scheme, he said the figures kept changing.
“First, they claimed a scam of ₹1,100 crore, then reduced it to ₹100 crore, and later even that was revised. This clearly shows there is no factual basis,” he said.
He also cited an example under the Sahara scheme, where a beneficiary reportedly stopped receiving assistance after being declared dead in official records despite being alive.
Extension ban row
Criticising the recent notification banning extensions and re-employment, Thakur said the government contradicted itself. “On one hand, a blanket ban is announced, and on the other, exceptions are granted the same day. This shows lack of policy clarity and intent,” he remarked.
Unprecedented salary stress
In a sharp remark, Thakur said Himachal is witnessing an unprecedented financial strain. “For the first time, there are concerns about paying salaries on time, yet the Chief Minister claims there is no financial crisis,” he said.
Calling the situation “serious and alarming,” Thakur urged the government to present a clear and honest picture of the state’s finances instead of “confusing the public with contradictory statements.”
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