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At Three-Year Mark, Himachal CM Sukhu Reaffirms 10 Poll Guarantees and Defends Borrowing

He casts recent loans as unavoidable payments on old debt plus disaster recovery costs.

Overview

  • Addressing a Jan Sankalp rally in Mandi, the chief minister launched the MyDeed portal, the Naksha scheme and a digital Jamabandi module, and distributed benefits including disaster relief and support for farmers, students and start-up drivers.
  • He said the government had to borrow to service installments on about Rs 75,000 crore in existing liabilities, citing arrears and heavy monthly salary and pension commitments.
  • Sukhu accused the previous BJP government of financial mismanagement that left the state near a debt trap, and highlighted revenue steps such as liquor-shop auctions and higher hydropower royalties.
  • He and senior ministers alleged central actions have tightened finances, pointing to a Rs 1,600 crore cut in additional borrowing after restoring the Old Pension Scheme, withheld Jal Jeevan Mission funds cited at Rs 1,200 crore and delays in disaster aid.
  • State BJP leaders attacked the government over debt and its anniversary event, and a group of unemployed nurses protesting at the venue was removed before the chief minister arrived.