CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu seeks high-level panel to assess HP’s financial losses

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to constitute a high-level committee to assess the financial losses suffered by the hill state due to the discontinuation of the RDG, recurring natural disasters, inadequate free power allocation from hydropower projects, and revenue losses under the GST regime.Addressing the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi, chaired by the Prime Minister and held under the theme ‘Inclusive Human Development for Viksit Bharat', Sukhu said that a detailed report prepared by the proposed committee would help the Centre determine the state's legitimate financial requirements.Despite significant fiscal challenges, he said, Himachal continues to contribute to the nation's growth. Sukhu said the withdrawal of the RDG had severely impacted the state's economy. Sukhu said the Rs 25,000 crore allocated to hill states on the request of their chief ministers was insufficient to offset losses, and demanded that it be increased to Rs 50,000 crore to ensure smooth development works.Highlighting Himachal's ecological contribution, Sukhu said the hill state provides ecological services worth nearly Rs 90,000 crore annually, citing a study by the Indian Institute of Forest Management. However, he said the state has not received adequate compensation for preserving forests and maintaining ecological balance.Sukhu also raised concerns over the state being deprived of its fair share of free power from around 13,000 MW of hydropower generation within its territory. He added that arrears amounting to Rs 7,000 crore from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) were still pending. Referring to recent natural calamities, he said the state was yet to receive the announced Rs 1,500 crore special assistance from the Centre. He also claimed Himachal had suffered revenue losses of nearly Rs 25,000 crore over the past eight years due to the GST regime.Sukhu also highlighted the state's progress in green energy initiatives, including solar power, green hydrogen, pumped storage and battery storage projects. He sought protection of the state's interests in the proposed Chandrabhaga-Ravi-Beas link project and stressed the need to expand air connectivity, particularly the development of Gaggal Airport in Kangra, to boost tourism and economic growth. He also briefed about the anti-drug campaign of state govt to discourage substance abuse and requested for support in intelligence network and inter-agency cooperation. MSID:: 131660092 413 |