Huge loans taken by BJP govt led to financial crisis: Deputy CM

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri today alleged that the huge amount of loans taken by the previous BJP government were responsible for the present financial crisis in the state.

Agnihotri, in a press note issued here, said that disproportionate loans taken by the BJP government had disturbed the credit to debit ratio, but the Congress government was gradually improving the financial condition of the state. He added that the BJP had been continuously conspiring against the Congress government in the state, but failed in its attempts. He accused the BJP leaders of making efforts to block its share of financial assistance from the Centre.

He said that the BJP leaders had only one agenda of toppling the Congress government. He added that the financial assistance being received from the Central Government was the state’s right and part of its share in the Goods and Services Tax (GST). He alleged that it was a shame that despite the state witnessing natural disasters for two consecutive years, the Central Government did not provide a special relief package to help the Congress government overcome difficult times.

Agnihotri said that when Dr Manmohan Singh was Prime Minister, Himachal Pradesh was given a special industrial package but the Narendra Modi-led BJP government discontinued it. He added that the Congress government was stable and strong and would complete its full five-year term in office. The ‘guarantees’ announced by the Congress before the last Assembly elections were being fulfilled in a phased manner, he asserted.

Agnihotri said that the restoration of the old pension scheme, which was one of the major guarantees, had been fulfilled and the second guarantee of a monthly pension of Rs 1,500 to the state’s adult women was being fulfilled. He added that the state government had initiated the process for the construction of smart schools so as to provide quality education to children.

Agnihotri claimed that developmental works initiated by all departments were progressing at a brisk pace and there was no dearth of funds for public works and welfare programmes. He said that heinous crimes were on the decline and the government had launched a campaign against drug, mining and other types of mafia.