Withholding of RDG an Attempt to Weaken Himachal, Says Congress Leader Jagdish Reddy.
Shimla:
Congress leader and Seraj Assembly constituency representative Jagdish Reddy today accused the BJP-led central government of giving “step-motherly treatment” to Himachal Pradesh by withholding the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), alleging that the move was a deliberate attempt to economically weaken the Congress-led state government.
Addressing a press conference here today, Reddy said the Centre was creating politically motivated hurdles to pressure the democratically elected government headed by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. He asserted that despite these challenges, the state government has ensured that development activities and public welfare schemes continue without disruption.
Referring to the severe natural disasters faced by Himachal Pradesh in 2023 and 2025, Reddy said the state suffered extensive damage to infrastructure and its economy. He added that even under such adverse circumstances, the state government prioritised disaster relief and rehabilitation, along with maintaining road connectivity, strengthening healthcare services, improving education infrastructure and implementing welfare programmes.
Reddy alleged that the Centre resorts to discriminatory practices whenever a non-BJP government comes to power in Himachal Pradesh. “Financial assistance is curtailed and constitutional rights are ignored, which goes against the spirit of India’s federal structure,” he said. Emphasising the state’s position, he remarked, “Himachal Pradesh is not asking for charity. The Revenue Deficit Grant is our constitutional right, which is being denied for political reasons.”
Warning of long-term consequences, Reddy said that if the Centre continues its policy of financially weakening the state, Himachal Pradesh would be forced to move decisively towards self-reliance. He referred to a proposed 10-point ‘Self-Reliant Himachal Roadmap’, which includes increasing hydropower royalty, strengthening green tax mechanisms, generating sustainable revenue from tourism, monetisation—without sale—of government assets, value addition in agriculture and horticulture, and strict action against tax evasion.
Highlighting Himachal Pradesh’s contribution to the nation, Reddy said the state’s rivers, forests and soldiers serve the entire country, and discrimination against such a state was unjust and detrimental to national unity and the federal system.
He demanded the immediate restoration of the Revenue Deficit Grant or the announcement of a special revenue assistance package for disaster-prone hill states like Himachal Pradesh.
Reddy also criticised former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur over his remarks on the RDG issue, stating that while Thakur expressed readiness to accompany the Chief Minister to Delhi to raise the matter, asking the Chief Minister to refrain from criticising the central government was inappropriate.
