Development Stalled for Two and Half Years

Government Forgets Budget Announcements: Jairam Thakur

Shimla, March 18, 2025: After the budget discussion in the Assembly, former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Jairam Thakur, launched a sharp attack on the government, stating that the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led administration has failed on all fronts. He said that this year’s budget, like the previous two, is full of disappointments and lacks vision for development.

Jairam Thakur criticized the massive cuts in capital expenditure, saying that it is evident that government-sponsored development projects will be minimal. He further pointed out that many announcements from the last two budgets remain unfulfilled, indicating a governance failure.

“This is the first time in the history of Himachal Pradesh that neither the budget size has increased under normal conditions nor has capital expenditure grown. How will this budget meet the expectations of the people?” he questioned.

The Leader of the Opposition highlighted drastic budget cuts in key sectors:

• Roads, Transport, Tourism, and Civil Aviation: Reduced from ₹2,700 crore to ₹1,522 crore (a 43% cut)
• Irrigation and Flood Control: One-third reduction
• Drinking Water Supply: 44% cut
• Agriculture and Allied Activities: 40% cut
• General Economic Services: 38% cut
• Women and Child Development & Nutrition: 33% cut
• Other Sectors: 51% cut

He questioned how public welfare schemes could function effectively with such severe reductions in essential services.

Jairam Thakur also accused the Sukhu government of making hollow promises, stating that previous budget announcements have not progressed beyond paperwork. He listed several schemes that remain inactive, including:

• CM’s One-Stop Women’s Shelter Scheme
• Electric Scooty Subsidy for Female Students
• CM Surakshit Bachpan Abhiyan (Safe Childhood Campaign)
• Horticulture Excellence Centre in Kufri
• Skywalk Bridge in Hasan Valley
• Himachal Pradesh Transformation Cell & SDG Coordination Centre

On healthcare, he criticized the government’s failure to deliver on its promises of advanced MRI machines, PET scans, and world-class medical facilities. He further alleged that the government did not even mention the crucial “Himcare Scheme” in the budget speech, which has been a lifeline for many citizens.

Jairam Thakur also attacked the government’s so-called welfare schemes named after the Gandhi family, highlighting that only ₹37.70 crore was spent on them, while more money was spent on publicity than actual implementation.

He concluded by declaring that the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government’s budget is not in the interest of the state or its people, and therefore, he does not support it.