Governance at all-time low in Himachal, state shifting blame to Centre: Nadda

Union Minister JP Nadda on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Himachal Pradesh government, calling the state’s governance at an all-time low and accusing those in power of undermining the rule of law.

Nadda, who is on a three-day visit to Himachal Pradesh, said he was “anguished and worried” about the direction in which the state was heading.

“I have myself remained an MLA and minister in Himachal, but things were never so bad,” said Nadda, while reacting to the beating up of two NHAI officials, allegedly by a minister.

“It is not a question of the behaviour of one individual, but the image of Dev Bhoomi, as Himachal is known, has been sullied.”

“What can one expect from a government where protectors of law take law into their own hands,” he remarked. “The beating up of NHAI officials is a perfect example of the dismal state of affairs in Himachal.”

He also lamented the lackadaisical attitude of the state government in implementing centrally sponsored schemes.

“The responsibility for pushing projects and utilising the allocated funds for centrally sponsored schemes lies with the state government. What they are doing is just passing the buck to the Centre by making lame excuses,” said Nadda.

Nadda had come down heavily on the state government over the alleged manhandling of NHAI officials by Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh, in the aftermath of a building collapse at Bhattakufar in Shimla.

“Jab rakshak hi bhakshak ban jaye to kya umeed rakhen,” he remarked.

Pledging total help and cooperation from the Centre, Nadda said the Modi-led regime has always stood by Himachal in times of crisis.

“The Centre is committed to extending all possible help to Himachal in its hour of need, as has been the case in the past,” he said.

He said the Centre had provided Rs 1,700 crore in aid to Himachal following the 2023 monsoon fury, and this time again, Rs 1,000 crore has been given.

The BJP also regretted the inability of the state government to utilise the money provided by the Centre on time.

“A narrative is being created that the Centre has failed to help Himachal, which is not true. The reality is otherwise,” he said.

Citing examples, Nadda said the Himachal government had only managed to spend 24 per cent of the budget allocated by the 15th Finance Commission, whose term ends in 2025.

He further stated that a sum of Rs 1,000 crore had been given by the Ministry of Economic Affairs under the JICA project, of which the state government’s share would be a mere Rs 149 crore.

Himachal Tribune