SHIMLA: Despite grappling with a severe financial crunch, the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government in Himachal Pradesh has been pouring funds into advertisements in neighbouring Haryana, raising eyebrows as the state struggles to meet even basic financial obligations.
The decision comes at a time when the government is facing mounting criticism for delayed salaries and pensions, with pensioners waiting anxiously for their dues. The state’s financial woes have also made it difficult for the administration to manage daily expenses.
The government’s decision to splurge on advertisements in Haryana, which is set for Assembly elections on October 5, has sparked concerns over unnecessary expenditures. Many question the rationale behind such spending when Himachal Pradesh is already reeling under a massive debt burden of over Rs 80,000 crore. Critics argue that the focus should be on stabilising the state’s finances rather than diverting resources to non-essential expenses.
Adding to the government’s woes is the incomplete implementation of its much-touted election promises. In the full-page advertisement, the Sukhu government showed fulfilment of five of the 10 poll guarantees. However, Himachal people allege that the five guarantees have also seen partial fulfillment as these are yet to reach all eligible beneficiaries.
For example, the Rs 1,500 monthly grant promised to women aged 18 and above remains elusive for many, with only a fraction of the intended recipients receiving the financial aid. This has led to increasing dissatisfaction among the public, especially women who were expecting timely disbursement of the promised benefits.
The state’s opposition parties have been quick to criticise the government for its apparent mismanagement of finances, accusing it of neglecting the pressing needs of the people while indulging in lavish spending on publicity campaigns outside the state. A BJP leader argued that such expenditure is unwarranted, especially when Himachal’s economy is under immense strain, and the public is feeling the brunt of the financial crisis.
