In her maiden speech in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, first-time Dehra MLA Kamlesh Thakur, also wife of the Chief Minister, sharply criticized the Union Government, saying its fiscal policies are squeezing key state welfare programs.
During budget discussions, Thakur described the “three sister schemes” — Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), MGNREGA, and LPG/Ujjwala — as being “on ventilator” due to the Centre’s neglect and shifting priorities. She noted that the withdrawal of RDG has hit Himachal’s finances by ₹6,000 crore, MGNREGA now strains state resources, and rising LPG costs force households to rely on firewood, endangering women and children.
Defending the state budget, Thakur highlighted pro-people measures like 300 free electricity units for poor households, MSP hikes for turmeric and ginger, higher milk procurement rates, subsidies for farmers’ equipment, and crop protection schemes. She also assured that the State Education Board remains intact while providing ₹5,000 monthly support to students affected by low-enrollment college closures.
Thakur further announced a ₹1,000 increase in honorarium for Anganwadi and ASHA workers and a rise in disability pension from ₹1,700 to ₹3,000.
Calling the budget a “balancing act under pressure,” she emphasized the government’s focus on farmers, women, and vulnerable communities. Her speech added a strong political and social perspective to the ongoing Assembly debate, making her voice one of the three prominent women legislators alongside Anuradha Rana and Reena Kashyap.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
