Shimla, Sep 1 (PTI) A heated exchange took place between the ruling Congress and opposition in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Tuesday, with both sides trading accusations during a discussion on employment.
Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur criticised the state government, saying the Congress came to power citing a financial crisis and would leave office citing the same issue.
The exchange began after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan referred to the Centre’s discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG).
When BJP MLA Prakash Rana raised the issue of the state’s debt and resources, Chauhan reiterated that the Centre had stopped the RDG and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not released the announced Rs 1,500 crore aid for Himachal Pradesh, creating difficulties for the state.
Objecting to the minister’s remarks, Thakur said the Modi government had provided “immense support” to Himachal Pradesh. He said the state received only Rs 18,000 crore in grants from the 12th and 13th Finance Commissions during the Manmohan Singh government, compared with Rs 89,000 crore under the Modi government.
Thakur accused the state government of failing to increase revenue and create employment opportunities for the youth despite being in office for four years. He said the government had also failed to clarify its formula for increasing the state’s income.
Instead of blaming the Centre, the government should present its economic policy and future plans, he said, while acknowledging that the RDG has been a “lifeline” for the state.
He said the government had failed to explore new sources of revenue over the past four years and should now present a concrete action plan to strengthen the state’s finances.
Supporting Rana’s remarks, Thakur said the key issue was what the state government was doing to generate revenue and create employment opportunities for the youth.
He asked the government to spell out how employment avenues would be expanded and what steps were being taken to boost the state’s income.
If the state was receiving any economic support, it was from the Narendra Modi-led central government, Thakur said, adding that instead of criticising the Centre, the state government should demonstrate its own performance. PTI BPL RHL
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.