SHIMLA, 31.01.25-MLA Sanjay Awasthi has called upon Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur to refrain from making baseless allegations against the state government and instead focus on securing financial assistance for Himachal Pradesh in the upcoming Union Budget. In a press statement issued today, he said that Jai Ram Thakur merely to remain in the media spotlight was frequently making factually incorrect statements. He is genuinely concerned about the welfare of Himachal Pradesh and its people, he should demand financial aid for the state from the Union Government.

Sh. Awasthi said that the Central Government has yet to release Rs. 10,000 crore as relief fund for the massive disaster happened in the state in 2023. Additionally approximately Rs. 9,000 crore of employees National Pension Scheme (NPS) funds was struck with the Centre. He said Jai Ram Thakur should demand these funds from the BJP-led Union Government instead of creating obstacles by misleading the BJP leaders in releasing financial assistance for the state.

The MLA further stated that the financial burden on the state had significantly increased due to the reckless expenditure of the previous BJP government. He said that the previous government left a debt of Rs. 75,000 crore, along with Rs. 10,000 crore as outstanding liabilities related to employees dues. As a result of the policies of the previous BJP government, the state was now compelled to take loans to repay both the principal amount and interest on previous borrowings. He emphasized that 63 percent of the loans acquired by the present state government in the past two years had been allocated for servicing the debt inherited from the previous administration.

Sh. Awasthi said the previous BJP government failed to implement measures to enhance the state's revenue generation, and despite promoting the concept of a ‘double engine’ government for five years the state witnessed no progress and people were even deprived of basic facilities. He contended that rather than benefiting Himachal Pradesh, the so-called double engine governance only accelerated the state's financial distress. The BJP government during their entire tenure was inactive in addressing economic challenges and was only busy in lavish spending for their own causes.

He stated that the present state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was not only prioritizing the augmentation of revenue resources for Himachal Pradesh but also actively implementing public welfare schemes aimed at uplifting the people and fostering the overall development of the state. The positive outcomes of these initiatives by the present Congress government were now clearly visible.

He further asserted that BJP leaders were unable to accept the growing popularity of the present government and out of sheer frustration were resorting to baseless allegations solely to tarnish its image. He urged BJP leaders to support the development and welfare initiatives introduced by the state government for the betterment of Himachal Pradesh, instead of creating unnecessary obstacles.