Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Delhi to discuss critical financial matters concerning the state. He advocated for maintaining the state's existing debt ceiling, the release of pending GST compensation, and the allocation of disaster relief funds.
New Delhi: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu held a significant meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Delhi, discussing crucial issues related to the state's financial interests. During the meeting, the Chief Minister emphasized the need to maintain Himachal Pradesh's existing debt ceiling, reinstate the stalled GST compensation, allocate funds for disaster relief, and secure adequate budgetary allocation for the state's development.
On the first day of his Delhi visit, Chief Minister Sukhu met with several senior Union Ministers, advocating for Himachal Pradesh's development and economic stability. His meeting with the Union Finance Minister was particularly focused on expressing his concerns regarding the availability of necessary financial resources for the state.
Demand to Maintain Debt Ceiling
The Chief Minister urged the Union Finance Minister to retain Himachal Pradesh's existing debt ceiling. He highlighted that the annual debt ceiling, set at ₹10,000 crore during the previous BJP government's tenure, has been reduced, impacting the state's development schemes and major projects. Sukhu emphasized that increasing the debt ceiling is crucial for Himachal Pradesh's prosperity, enabling the state to accelerate new projects.
Discussion on GST Compensation and Natural Disaster Relief
The meeting prominently addressed the negative impact of the discontinued GST compensation on Himachal Pradesh's financial situation. The Chief Minister stated that the cessation of GST compensation in 2022 significantly affected the state budget and hampered several development initiatives. He also requested disaster relief funds to compensate for losses incurred during previous natural disasters. He specifically appealed for the expeditious release of ₹9,200 crore following the recent Alkan disaster to facilitate the state's reconstruction efforts.
Emphasis on Budget Allocation
Chief Minister Sukhu also appealed to the Union Finance Minister to increase the budgetary allocation for Himachal Pradesh. He noted that the state's revenue deficit grant has been reduced to just ₹3,257 crore, which is insufficient for development. This shortfall adversely affects the state's socio-economic schemes. The Chief Minister asserted that increased central cooperation and financial assistance would strengthen Himachal Pradesh's economic condition and enable the state to provide better services to its citizens.
The Chief Minister's Principal Advisor, Ram Subhag Singh, was also present at the meeting, supporting the Chief Minister on the financial issues. Together, they urged the central government to make decisions favorable to the state's interests.
