In a strongly worded statement issued today, CM Sukhu accused the previous BJP government of draining the state treasury and indulging in lavish spending rather than investing in development and essential infrastructure.
Questioning the BJP’s defense of the 16th Finance Commission’s observations regarding the discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), the Chief Minister pointed out that the previous BJP regime had received a substantial Rs. 54,296 crore under RDG over five years. He stated that the grant constituted nearly 25 to 30 percent of the state’s total revenue receipts. Additionally, the state received approximately Rs. 16,000 crore as GST compensation during the BJP tenure. According to him, these funds were allegedly used for political stabilization and distribution of freebies instead of strengthening the state’s long-term fiscal position.
Highlighting the disparity in central financial support, Sukhu said that while the BJP government received Rs. 54,296 crore over five years, the present Congress government has received only Rs. 17,563 crore in the last three years — almost half of what the previous regime obtained.
Providing a detailed breakdown, he stated that the BJP government received Rs. 8,449 crore in 2018-19 under the 14th Finance Commission, Rs. 8,271 crore in 2019-20, Rs. 8,062 crore in 2020-21, along with Rs. 11,431 crore as interim grant, Rs. 7,834 crore in 2021-22, and Rs. 10,249 crore in 2022-23 under the 15th Finance Commission — totaling Rs. 54,296 crore.
In contrast, the present Congress government received Rs. 8,058 crore in 2023-24, Rs. 6,258 crore in 2024-25, and Rs. 3,257 crore in 2025-26 under the 15th Finance Commission, amounting to Rs. 17,563 crore.
The Chief Minister further alleged that despite receiving substantial funds, the previous BJP government failed to clear employee arrears or announce Dearness Allowance (DA). He also claimed that the BJP regime did not make adequate investments in the health sector. He stated that the present government has prioritized healthcare by launching a Rs. 3,000 crore modernization plan and securing an additional Rs. 1,300 crore under JICA Phase-II to upgrade healthcare infrastructure.
Describing the fiscal condition inherited in December 2022, Sukhu said the state was burdened with mounting debt and deferred liabilities. He noted that by the end of the BJP’s term, the total outstanding debt had risen to approximately Rs. 76,185 crore — an increase of nearly Rs. 28,000 crore in five years. Additionally, he cited a Rs. 10,000 crore liability in revised pay scale arrears and DA, which he described as a “last-minute” political move without budgetary backing.
He further criticized the opening of over 900 institutions in the final six months of the BJP government, stating that this created an additional unfunded annual liability of Rs. 5,000 crore. The current government, he said, was compelled to de-notify many of these institutions to prevent financial instability.
Concluding his remarks, the Chief Minister termed the BJP’s criticism of the present fiscal situation as hypocritical. He asserted that the current government is focusing on strengthening healthcare services, introducing advanced medical technologies such as robotic surgery, and considering the establishment of bone marrow transplant facilities at IGMC.
Sukhu also stated that BJP leaders were invited to attend a presentation on the state’s fiscal health on Sunday but alleged that they chose to attend other functions instead of engaging on issues concerning the financial stability and welfare of Himachal Pradesh.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
