Tough decisions will be initiated to improve health of economy: Sukhu

Shimla, September 2

Sounding a word of caution amidst delay in grant of salaries, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today said tough decisions will be taken in the next six months to improve health of the economy.

BJP responsible for dismal affairs

It is the previous BJP regime which is responsible for the dismal state of affairs. We have been forced to take harsh decisions to bring the derailed economy back on track. In the last six months of its rule, the BJP regime announced to provide free water and despite this people voted Congress to power. — Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister

Speaking in the Assembly today, Sukhu said the positive impact of these harsh decisions will become visible in the Budget for 2025-26. “I want to clarify that the decision to withdraw 125 units of free power has not been taken so far,” said Sukhu while replying to a question by Shahpur MLA Kewal Singh Pathania on the financial health of the state.

“It is the previous BJP regime which is responsible for the dismal state of affairs. We have been forced to take harsh decisions to bring the derailed economy back on track,” he announced. He said in the last six months of its rule, the BJP regime announced to provide free water and despite this people voted Congress to power.

Sukhu lamented that despite the government seeking cooperation from the Opposition, the BJP was running away from debate. “While in power the BJP offered subsidy on everything and today they are pointing fingers at us. If we have chosen to restore old pension scheme (OPS), we must have thought about it,” he said.

“With an eye on the Assembly polls, the BJP regime opened 1000 primary schools and 300 hospitals, with making appointment of teachers or doctors, which put unnecessary burden on the economy,” said Sukhu. “We are working relentlessly to make Himachal self-sufficient by 2027,” he added.

Sukhu said people who do not require subsidy and can afford to pay were also given subsidy on power, besides 14 subsidies in various sectors. “We have decided that subsidy will be given only on one electricity metre in one building and have withdrawn Re one per unit subsidy given by BJP regime to industrialists and five star hotels,” he said.

The Chief Minister said in case the subsidies on power are not withdrawn, the government will have to provide Rs 2,200 crore to Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board.