The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday strongly criticized the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government over the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) issue, stating that blaming the Centre for financial challenges is an attempt to escape responsibility.
An all-party meeting was convened at Hotel Peterhoff in Shimla to discuss the state’s financial situation following the discontinuation of RDG. The BJP delegation, led by state president Rajeev Bindal, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, and several MLAs, participated in the discussion and presented what they described as a factual and detailed perspective in the larger interest of the state.
Addressing the meeting, Dr. Rajeev Bindal stated that Himachal Pradesh’s development is a shared responsibility of all political parties. He alleged that despite being in power for nearly 40 months with a full majority, the Congress government is attempting to shift the blame for its financial failures onto the Centre and the BJP.
Bindal emphasized that the phasing out of Revenue Deficit Grant was not a sudden decision. He pointed out that both the 14th and 15th Finance Commissions had clearly recommended a gradual reduction and eventual discontinuation of the grant. Therefore, presenting it as a sudden financial crisis is misleading, he said. He added that the state government should have prepared alternative resource-generation strategies, expenditure control measures, and revenue enhancement policies in advance.
BJP Highlights Central Assistance Figures
During the meeting, the BJP presented data on financial assistance received from the Centre. According to Bindal, Himachal Pradesh received approximately ₹50,000 crore in 2022–23, around ₹43,000 crore in 2023–24, and over ₹35,000 crore in 2024–25/2025–26 under various heads, including tax devolution, centrally sponsored schemes (CSS), World Bank funding, NABARD support, PMGSY, and other infrastructure initiatives.
He further claimed that National Highway projects worth over ₹44,000 crore are currently underway in the state—significantly higher than during previous Congress regimes. He also highlighted major railway expansion projects, tunnel construction, four-lane highways, bridges, and all-weather connectivity initiatives that have transformed the state’s infrastructure landscape.
On industrial development, Bindal credited former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for laying the foundation of Himachal’s industrial growth through a special industrial package. He said that projects like the Bulk Drug Park are major contributions by the Centre and criticized what he termed as continuous negative statements from Congress leaders regarding such initiatives.
BJP Walks Out Over Language Used
The BJP delegation also objected to what it described as “inappropriate and objectionable” language used by certain speakers against the Central government and the Prime Minister during the meeting. Stating that political differences are part of democracy but decorum must be maintained, the BJP leaders registered their protest and walked out of the meeting midway.
The party reiterated that it is ready to participate in constructive discussions to improve the state’s financial health but warned against what it called one-sided allegations and politically motivated narratives. The BJP asserted that it will continue to raise issues related to public interest and the overall development of Himachal Pradesh.
