"Not Bad Governance, No Governance": Nadda Tears Into Sukhu Government, Says Himachal Returning "Modi Funds Unspent"
Shimla:
Union Health Minister and Former BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda on Saturday launched a blistering attack on the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government, accusing it of running Himachal Pradesh through an "attaché-wali sarkar" and presiding over what he described as a complete collapse of governance.
Addressing a press conference in Shimla during the BJP's nationwide outreach campaign marking 12 years of the Modi government, Nadda alleged that the Congress regime had failed to utilize thousands of crores released by the Centre and was unable even to furnish utilisation certificates for grants received under various schemes, including disaster management, healthcare, infrastructure and reconstruction projects.
In one of his sharpest attacks yet, Nadda declared that Himachal was not suffering from bad governance but from "no governance at all."
"There is good governance, there is bad governance, but in Himachal today there is no governance," he said. "The government has no direction, no vision, no decision-making capacity and no ability to implement projects."
"Centre Has Never Starved Himachal of Funds"
Rejecting the Sukhu government's repeated allegations that the Centre was discriminating against Himachal Pradesh, Nadda said the Modi government had extended unprecedented financial assistance to the hill state.
According to him, the Centre provided ₹2,381 crore as special assistance in 2024-25, ₹2,006 crore under post-disaster recovery and reconstruction programmes, and over ₹2,150 crore under externally aided projects.
He highlighted major infrastructure investments including nearly ₹40,000 crore worth of four-laning projects, national highway expansion, hydropower projects, railway modernization and health infrastructure development.
"Himachal occupies a special place in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's heart. There has never been any shortage of funds from the Centre. The problem lies in the state's inability to spend the money," Nadda asserted.
"Half the Grants Going Back"
The BJP leader alleged that more than half of the grants sanctioned to Himachal under various schemes were either lying unutilised or being returned because the state government failed to execute projects on time.
Citing health sector projects, Nadda said critical care blocks, integrated public health laboratories and primary healthcare facilities sanctioned under central schemes remained incomplete despite funds having been released years ago.
He claimed that several schemes were nearing closure while the state had failed to create the required infrastructure.
"Funds were given. The projects never moved. Utilisation certificates were never submitted. Money lapsed. This is the reality of the Sukhu government," he charged.
Disaster Funds Still Awaiting Utilisation Certificates
Nadda also targeted the state government over disaster reconstruction works following the devastating floods and landslides that hit Himachal Pradesh.
He alleged that utilisation certificates for disaster management and reconstruction funds released by the Centre were still pending.
"The Centre has never hesitated to support Himachal in times of crisis. But when utilisation certificates are not submitted and project reports remain incomplete, questions naturally arise about administrative efficiency," he said.
responding to query on Central stopping RDG, Nadda said the Sukhu government didnot know that the RDG was going to be stopped. RDGwas stopped in 18 states including BJP ruled states. You did not implement fiscal discipline and cut down on nonplanned expenditure and the debt surged to over 51 per cent of GDP, he asked.
Bulk Drug Park, Medical Device Park Under Fire
Taking aim at what he termed missed opportunities, Nadda accused the Congress government of delaying flagship projects including the Bulk Drug Park and Medical Device Park.
He said ₹1,000 crore had been earmarked by the Centre for the Bulk Drug Park while significant funds had also been approved for the Medical Device Park.
However, according to him, implementation remained painfully slow.
"The Centre sanctioned these projects. The state failed to capitalize on them. Other states are creating international industrial hubs while Himachal is losing precious time," he remarked.
"Tender Today, Re-Tender Tomorrow"
Nadda painted a grim picture of administrative paralysis in the state.
He alleged that files move at a snail's pace, tenders take months to be finalized and projects often end up being re-tendered after prolonged delays.
"Eight months are spent issuing tenders. Then re-tendering begins. Projects remain stuck while development suffers," he said.
Without naming individuals, Nadda also referred to reports of infighting within the bureaucracy and allegations of corruption being levelled by officials against one another.
"When officers are openly accusing each other and ministers are at odds within the government, it reflects the state of governance," he said.
Panchayat Polls Have Delivered the Verdict
Claiming that public sentiment had already turned against the Congress government, Nadda pointed to recent Panchayati Raj election outcomes as evidence of growing dissatisfaction.
"The people of Himachal have delivered a clear message. The Panchayat election results show that this government has failed to fulfil its promises," he said.
He predicted that voters would eventually send the Congress government "lock, stock and barrel" packing.
Modi Government's Development Record
The Union Minister devoted a large part of his address to highlighting the achievements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the past 12 years.
He cited India's rise to become one of the world's fastest-growing major economies, expansion of Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), record highway construction, railway modernization, renewable energy initiatives and healthcare expansion through AIIMS and new medical colleges.
Nadda said India's transformation under Modi had strengthened both the country's economy and global standing.
Congress Hits Back
While Nadda launched a full-scale offensive against the Sukhu government, Congress leaders have consistently maintained that Himachal Pradesh faces extraordinary fiscal challenges inherited from previous administrations and compounded by natural disasters.
The state government has repeatedly argued that it deserves special financial support from the Centre due to its difficult terrain, disaster vulnerability and limited revenue base.
With political temperatures rising ahead of future electoral battles, Nadda's remarks signal that governance, finances and development delivery are set to become the central battleground between the BJP and Congress in Himachal Pradesh.
"The Centre has given funds. The question is whether the state government has the ability to use them," Nadda said, summing up what is likely to become the BJP's punchline of attack against the Sukhu administration.
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