TNR Desk
In a recent meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, senior BJP leader and newly elected Rajya Sabha MP from Himachal Pradesh Harsh Mahajan voiced concerns over the alleged mismanagement of funds allocated to Himachal by the Centre.
Mahajan’s remarks come amidst growing tensions between the state BJP and the ruling Congress following the political crisis in the aftermath of the recent cross-voting by six Congress rebels that led to Mahajan’s victory.
During his courtesy call on Union Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, Mahajan extended his gratitude for his recent victory in the Rajya Sabha elections. However, the conversation swiftly turned towards the utilisation of central funds in Himachal Pradesh.
Mahajan criticised the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led state government for what he perceives as a “lack of effective implementation of central projects”. He highlighted recent statements made by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari during his visit to Himachal Pradesh where Gadkari announced ambitious infrastructure projects worth Rs 1 lakh crore, including 15 National Highway projects valued at Rs 4,000 crore.
Expressing appreciation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives, Mahajan particularly lauded the inauguration of development projects worth Rs 25 crore at the revered Shaktipeeth Mata Chintpurni Dham in Himachal Pradesh. He emphasised the significance of these projects in fostering growth and development in the region.
One of the focal points of Mahajan’s concerns was the delayed completion of the CIPET Centre in Baddi, a project aimed at promoting industrial growth and employment opportunities in Himachal Pradesh. Despite the allocation of Rs 46 crore for its construction, Mahajan highlighted the slow progress in its completion and its potential to benefit the state.
In an attack on the Congress government, Mahajan accused it of prioritising power over progress. He alleged that the Congress regime had failed to effectively utilise the funds allocated by the Centre, thus hindering the state’s development.
