‘Government is poor and people are rich’… Is Himachal Pradesh the future of Rahul Gandhi’s Khata Khat scheme?

New Delhi: ‘The government is poor, the people are rich…’ This was not said by a common man but by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to a private media channel. Sukhu said that the state’s economic condition is bad because the BJP government has emptied the treasury. The current economic condition of Himachal Pradesh raises questions on Rahul Gandhi’s statements about ‘khata khata schemes’, which he/she gave during the Lok Sabha election campaign. Congress had announced many free schemes, but the Chief Minister of the state where their government is in power is seen opposing these free schemes.

Himachal Pradesh government’s debt increased

According to the information, Himachal Pradesh’s debt has increased to Rs 76,651 crore and there is a revenue deficit of Rs 520 crore. Sukhu claimed that the BJP weakened the state’s economy by running free schemes and waiving taxes. he/she said that our annual expenditure on pension and salaries of employees is Rs 25,000 crore. Every month Rs 1,200 crore is spent on salaries and Rs 80 crore on pensions. The BJP has created this situation by giving free facilities and concessions.

Is CM Sukhu against free schemes?

Sukhu further said that people who should pay income tax have been given exemption. Almost everyone is getting free water and electricity. But this has become a problem for us and I cannot allow it. he/she said that his/her government earned Rs 485 crore in a year from the auction of liquor contracts, while the BJP government earned Rs 635 crore in five years. Sukhu also said that the economic growth rate of the state has increased by 20%. he/she accused the BJP of stopping dearness allowance (DA) despite revenue savings in 2018-2019, 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. he/she said that the BJP did not use the resources properly.

What will happen to Rahul Gandhi’s free Khata Khata schemes?

In the Lok Sabha elections, many Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi had promised many free schemes. Rahul Gandhi said many times during the election campaign that if his/her government is formed, he/she will implement these schemes ‘quickly’. Congress promised that they will give one lakh rupees to women of families below the poverty line. Congress made big announcements in the manifesto like increasing wages to Rs 400 per day, increasing pension to Rs 1000 for senior citizens, widows and disabled. BJP targeted these announcements of Congress. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that does Rahul Gandhi know anything about the cost of implementing these schemes. The Finance Minister has challenged Gandhi to tell the public how he/she will implement his/her schemes.

The promises made by Rahul Gandhi during the Lok Sabha elections are being exposed in the state ruled by him/her. On one hand, Rahul Gandhi promises to promote the culture of free schemes, while on the other hand, the Chief Minister of his/her party is seen opposing such schemes.

What steps will Congress take now?

Meanwhile, BJP has accused Himachal Congress of making excuses despite being in power for two years. BJP has warned the people that Rahul Gandhi only makes promises, he/she does not fulfill them. Amidst this blame game between BJP and Congress, the people of Himachal Pradesh are facing financial crisis. It remains to be seen what steps the current government takes to improve the economic condition of the state.