Himachal’s finances improved through increased revenue generation, expenditure cuts: Sukhu

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Sunday (January 25, 2026) that the Congress-led government had improved the State’s financial condition through increased revenue generation and expenditure cuts, even as he blamed the BJP-led Central government for showing indifference towards the State and its people.

He was speaking at Pragpur in Kangra district during the 56th ‘Statehood Day’ celebration event.

Mr. Sukhu said that after coming to power, the Congress government immediately restored the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for government employees. “Due to the restoration of the OPS, the present government’s additional borrowing of around ₹1,700 crore has been stopped. Despite this, the government has worked to improve the financial situation by augmenting its own resources and cutting non-essential expenditure,” he said.

Hitting out at the previous BJP government, Mr. Sukhu said that when the Congress assumed office, the BJP government had left liabilities exceeding ₹10,000 crore on account of salary and pension arrears of employees. Now, the total outstanding arrears related to salaries, pensions, and other dues amount to ₹8,555 crore. Despite the State’s strained financial condition, the complete payment of arrears of pensioners and family pensioners aged 70 and above would be made in January this year, for which ₹90 crore would be spent,” he said.

Revenue deficit grants

“The previous BJP government had got revenue deficit grants amounting to ₹46,862 crore, whereas the present government has received only ₹18,903 crore so far. If total Central transfers are taken into account, these stood at ₹1,16,000 crore during the BJP government, while the current government has received only ₹70,191 crore to date,” he said.

Accusing the BJP government of compromising with the interests of the State, Mr. Sukhu said the Congress would not allow the looting of resources. “Within just three years of the present Congress government, the State’s revenue has reached ₹49,500 crore, which was at ₹55,000 crore during the entire five year tenure of the BJP government. This has also happened due to ‘Vyavastha Parivartan’.”

The Chief Minister said the government had initiated the preparation of a document titled ‘Samriddh Himachal Vision’, the objective of which was to promote development that was environmentally sustainable, disaster-resilient and inclusive of all sections of society.

“This Vision would serve as a shared road map, maintaining a balance between development and responsibility, progress and environmental conservation, and aspirations and reality, so that Himachal Pradesh could continue on a path of steady progress while preserving its unique identity,” he added.