‘Inequitable’, key issues like rail expansion overlooked: CM

Expressing disappointment over the Union Budget, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu termed it “inequitable”, with much of the focus on election-bound Bihar. Calling for immediate revision to address the needs of the wider population, the Chief Minister said it did not address the state’s needs related to rail expansion and financial assistance and other issues.

The Chief Minister was hoping for the Centre funding the much-needed expansion of rail network in the state but the issue was not addressed in the Budget. “A robust rail network is essential for economic growth, yet it remains overlooked,” Sukhu said. He further said the allocation for interest-free loan to states has not been increased and the tough conditions attached to availing this loan do not help small states like Himachal Pradesh due to cost disabilities. “The end of GST compensation has put the state in a precarious financial position, resulting in an annual loss that our state can ill afford. A special financial package is urgently needed to mitigate this loss and support our fiscal stability. The absence of such a package in the Budget is a significant setback,” he said.

Sukhu expressed disappointment over the Centre government ignoring the demand for increasing import duty on apple. “The apple growers contribute significantly to the state’s economy but they are facing severe financial constraints. This Budget offers no measures to alleviate their struggles or increase the import duty on apples, which would have provided much-needed relief,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the benefits to the middle class in the form of the income tax rebates had come too late in the day as the benefits may just be used to rebuild the eroded savings during earlier years, rather than giving a push to consumption and demand. “It’s an anti-poor Budget and not futuristic. It is a total opportunistic Budget,” said Sukhu. “The relief is not commensurate with the contribution being made by the middle class taxpayers towards the growth of national economy,” he said.

LEADER SPEAK

A big setback

The end of GST compensation has put the state in a precarious financial position, resulting in an annual loss that our state can ill afford. A special financial package is urgently needed to mitigate this loss and support our fiscal stability. The absence of such a package in the Budget is a significant setback. — Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister

DISAPPOINTING BUDGET FOR STATE

For Himachal, it's a disappointing Budget. We were hoping that some relief package would be announced for the state to help it cope with massive losses suffered during the natural disaster, but the Centre has ignored us yet again. — Pratibha Singh, State Congress president

Youth will greatly benefit

Budget is dedicated to promoting innovation and scientific thinking in young minds. The youth will greatly benefit from the establishment of 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in government schools. This Budget will reduce the prices of insurance premium, medical equipment, mobile phones, clothes made in India, LED and LCD TVs. — Jai Ram Thakur, Former CM

Development measures proposed

Development measures had been proposed in various sectors, focusing on youth, women, poor, and farmers. — Rajiv Bindal, state BJP president