Himachal facing financial crisis? BJP blames freebie politics, CM Sukhu calls it 'rumour'

Why you are reading this: Congress in December 2022 attained a huge majority  by winning 40 seats in 68-member Himachal Pradesh Assembly and formed government. Within months donw line, Himachal government led by CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is reportedly suffering from a financial crisis. As many as 15,000 state government employees from State Transport Department, medical colleges, water manment, and forest departments have faced a delay in receiving ir monthly salaries. local reports also suggest that Sukhu government's treasury is facing an overdraft of Rs 1,000 crore and it has also applied for Rs 800 crore loan.

3 things you need to kw:

1. BJP has linked reported Himachal govt financial crisis with freebies that were anunced by Congress.
2. As many as 15,000 govt employees haven't received salaries that were rmally disbursed on 1st of every month.
3. BJP has accused Congress-led state govt of taking a loan of Rs 7,000 crores in  last 6 months.

'Freebies making state bankrupt'

launching a scathing attack on Himachal Pradesh government, Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Wednesday (June 14) said  that freebie culture started by grand old party is leading state into bankruptcy. As per Congress' poll manifesto, party had promised a monthly allowance of Rs 1500 to women between 18 and 60 years old and also anunced 300 units of free electricity to all households.

Confirming reports of Sukhu govt's financial instability, former Himachal Pradesh CM & BJP leader Jairam Thakur told ANI that since Congress has come to power in state, steps to ensure financial stability have t been taken. he furr asserted that new govt has taken a loan of Rs 7,000 crores in last 6 months and an overdraft situation has emerged in state.

HRTC fuming over salary delays

Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) driver union has questioned state government for t paying dues and delay in salary. Man Singh Thakur, president of driver union of HRTC, regretted, "Earlier, certain dues were t paid to HRTC on time, and w state government is delaying salaries."

'Manipulated campaign'

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu lashed out at attempts to spread misinformation and false narratives and called reports of financial crunch of this government 'a manipulated campaign'. 

On or hand, Naresh Chauhan, media advisor of Himachal CM said that salary is expected to be released by June 15. He has blamed  debt amount under previous govt led by BJP for  delay in crediting salary to Himachal Road Ttransport Corporation.