BJP might compromise state’s interests in Kishau project: Himachal CM

Shimla, July 9 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Thursday said that had the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government been in power in the state, it would have compromised the state’s interests in the Kishau dam project.

He said the BJP government would accept the previous agreement, resulting in a huge loss to the exchequer. However, the state government rejected the 2023 deal and defended the state’s interests, a major victory for strengthening the state’s economic conditions.

CM Sukhu said as per the revised agreement, the state would generate an additional annual revenue of Rs 600 crore.

CM Sukhu said the Congress government was delivering on ‘Vyavastha Parivartan’ by turning public expectations into reality. He said various welfare schemes have been implemented on the ground for orphaned children, widows, single women, meritorious students and other vulnerable groups.

Referring to severe natural disasters in the state, he said the state had increased compensation for fully damaged homes from Rs 1.3 lakh to Rs 8 lakh using its own resources. It was the highest disaster relief compensation in the country.

He said the government continued to work towards making Himachal a self-reliant state despite a cut in the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) of Rs 10,000 crore per year.

The Chief Minister said the Centre was neglecting the state’s interests, which was affecting the common man. The state is still waiting for Rs 1,500 crore disaster relief fund announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Kangra visit in 2025.

He said the four BJP Members of Parliament had not jointly approached PM Modi to seek financial assistance.

CM Sukhu said he had personally donated Rs 51 lakh to help disaster-affected families. He also contributed Rs 35 lakh to the state during the Covid-19 pandemic when Jai Ram Thakur was the Chief Minister.

In response to a question at a function here, the Chief Minister said the BJP uses the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for political purposes ahead of elections.

He said the BJP was divided into several rival factions competing for power, but the people of the state have lost faith in their party.

CM Sukhu said the Congress government is working with transparency and accountability, and no allegations have been leveled against his Cabinet during the past three-and-a-half years.

–IANS

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