Himachal Pradesh: Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has objected to Union Health Minister JP Nadda’s remarks that the Congress government in the state cannot run even a day without the central government’s assistance. He said today that revenue deficit grant and share in taxes is Himachal Pradesh’s right and not a dole. He said the Union minister should know that there is a federal system in the country and the central government has not done any favour to Himachal Pradesh by giving assistance. Inaugurating the new OPD block of the cancer hospital in Shimla, Sukhu said, “Where does the central government get taxes from? It earns its money by collecting taxes from the states. So the central government is not making any donation, rather it is the right of the people and the states to get assistance from the central government.” A few days ago, Nadda had said at a rally in the state that the Congress government is financially dependent on the central government.
“Revenue deficit grant (RDG) and our share in central taxes is our right. Therefore, it is inappropriate for the Union minister to make such remarks. Sukhu said the state government is providing funds from its own resources to improve the health infrastructure, which has been mismanaged by the BJP government. He said the state government has allocated Rs 200 crore each to medical colleges in Chamba and Hamirpur from its own resources. We are also recruiting doctors and nurses to provide better health services to the people of the state. The central government is not providing these funds. The chief minister said Nadda has falsely accused the state government of imposing a ‘toilet’ tax. He said the BJP leader is making such allegations to influence the Haryana elections. No such tax has been imposed, yet it became national news. Sukhu said the government has stopped free water supply to commercial establishments like luxury hotels. He said there are around 1,000 hotels which earn profits between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 10 crore. Should they get free water and electricity? We have just shut it down. So it is unfortunate to make such a comment without knowing the facts.” The Chief Minister said that after the number of Congress MLAs again increased to 40, the BJP has resorted to personal attacks. Sukhu said, ”The BJP is making personal attacks. Sometimes Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids are conducted in Naidun, sometimes in Shimla. Such politics should be avoided.”
