Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu | Photo: PTI Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu | Photo: PTI Having survived a bid to topple his governmentswerte gaming, what people term as “operation Lotus”, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has completed two years in power. A first-time chief minister who mostly remained at loggerheads with six-time CM Virbhadra Singh, Sukhu is now treading his path cautiously on the political front and governance. Outlook’s Ashwani Sharma spoke to him about his broader governance plans and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) attempts to trouble him politically.
QWhat lessons have you learnt after ruling the state for two years?AI have learnt a number of lessons. Before the people of the state elected me as chief minister, I had never held any position in the government. My preference was to work within the Congress party organisations―the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Youth Congress and Pradesh Congress President―for several years. This experience proved invaluable and shaped my approach to governing the state. I inherited a debt burden of over Rs 70,000 crore, huge liabilities to pay arrears and dues to employees to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore. Yet, I presented a vision of “green development” to transform Himachal Pradesh into a Green Energy state by March 31, 2026. I got nearly 100 laws and rules changed/amended to improve the system.
Himachal Pradesh - State Government Celebrates Two Years Of Development And ProgressQThere was also the 2023 monsoon disaster.AFor the first time in Himachal Pradesh’s history this magnitude of natural calamity struck the state. Torrential rains, floods and landslides disrupted the entire communication systems, highways, electricity, water supply and connectivity. More than 500 people died and Rs 12,000 crore losses were reported. We braved the situation and organised relief and rehabilitation. More than 75,000 tourists stranded at different locations were rescued safely and sent to their homes. Unfortunately, the Union government did not help. We have not yet received a single penny under the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA). The state government disbursed a relief package of Rs 4,500 crore from its own budget.
QYou survived a bid to topple your government by the opposition BJP early this year. Do you feel secure now?AIt will remain a bad chapter in the clean politics of Himachal Pradesh. The BJP is power hungry. It doesn’t believe in electoral democracy. When people did not elect the so-called double engine government, the BJP devised a plan to bypass the people’s mandate and form its government―through defections after it engineered cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha poll against the Congress. I thank the people of the state, God and all deities/devtas. I survived the attempt and now my government is fully secure. We have a strength of 40 MLAs and the BJP has 28 in a 68-member House. All the troublemaker-MLAs are out of the Congress, and now in the BJP. They also lost the bypolls. I enjoy the confidence and support of the Cabinet and of all my MLAs.
QWhat measures have you taken to address the resource crunch in Himachal Pradesh?AFor the first time in Himachal Pradesh, we have launched extensive resource mobilisation efforts. Over the past two years, we have generated an additional Rs 2,200 crore, with Rs 600 crore coming from an increase in excise revenue alone. We have streamlined subsidies, focusing them only on deserving sections of society, while cutting down on benefits for affluent groups and taxpayers. Additionally, we passed a law to impose a water cess, which is expected to generate Rs 1,000 crore annually for the state. We are not in power for personal gains, but to reform and improve governance.
QThe BJP says the government has no money to pay salaries and clear the dues of the pensioners.AExcept for a delay in one particular month, as part of our fiscal management, the salaries are being paid on time. The pensioners are also paid by the due date.
QThe state’s fiscal health is in a critical condition. How will you implement the schemes or meet poll promises?ADespite pressure from the Centre, our government has successfully implemented the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) to the benefit of 1.36 employees. The Centre withheld our Revenue Deficit Grants (RDG), cut down our borrowing limit and has also withheld Rs 9,200 crore deposited under the New Pension Scheme. Yet, we have already fulfilled five electoral guarantees. All guarantees will be met by 2027 when we face the next assembly poll.
QWhat is your plan to tackle the state’s debt burden of Rs 90,000 crore?ANo government can survive without taking loans. It is part of fiscal management. We have also raised Rs 28,000 crore through loans, of which Rs 11,200 crore was paid towards interest and another Rs 7,800 crore to repay the principal amount, while Rs 9,000 crore was spent on developmental projects. Rs 90,000 crore is a huge liability and it can’t be cleared in one or two years.
Himachal Farmers Worried As Drought Delays Rabi SowingQHimachal’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism. What are the new initiatives? ATourism is the biggest contributor to our economy. We are trying to strengthen the infrastructure, which is very essential. Helipads, highways and better roads are being constructed on priority. We have taken up the expansion of Gaggal Airport for which Rs 200 crore land compensation has already been paid. Kangra has been declared as the tourism capital. We are also inviting big hotel chains to the state.
QYou have focussed on the rural economy in this year’s budget.AMy vision is that if we don’t strengthen our rural economy and pour funds into this sector, the state will not grow. Five recently launched schemes will boost the rural economy. The milk procurement price was raised to Rs 45 per kg for cow milk and Rs 55 per kg for buffalo. Daily wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) were increased from Rs 240 to Rs 300. We have given Minimum Support Price (MSP) for maize grown through natural farming and a new brand of maize flour, Himbhog, was also launched. We have taken care of every section of society.
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QAny plan to restructure your cabinet after the High Court struck down the appointments of six Chief Parliamentary Secretaries?AYes, it’s very much on the cards. I will induct new faces and also undertake a reshuffle based on the performance of the ministers.
QThe BJP has accused your government of corruption and collapse of governance? How do you respond to the charge?AThey have submitted a long list of charges against the government. But, let me tell you, I have shut all doors of corruption in the state. There is no specific charge against any minister. I believe in transparency. I will not hesitate to take tough decisions. The BJP, since it failed to topple my government, is trying to malign the Congress.
QAs one of the three Congress chief ministers in the country, do you take part in big decision-making teams of the party?AI have tried to confine myself within the boundaries of Himachal Pradesh and focus on my job. Beyond Parwanoo (the state’s entry point), I have no role to play.
QAfter the dismal loss in Haryana and Maharashtra, what should the party do to revive itself?AThe party leadership is fully capable of taking decisions. I can only say that the BJP should desist from its propaganda and stop maligning Himachal Pradesh.
winstar88 slotQHow are your relations with the BJP-led Union government?AI have no issues. However, the real problem lies with certain BJP leaders from the state who create obstacles in the state’s progress and block grants for various schemes and projects. Instead of supporting the state’s development, they are working against the interests of Himachal Pradesh. As a small hill economy with limited resourcesswerte gaming, Himachal Pradesh cannot thrive on its own, and needs the Union government’s support for growth.