Himachal Pradesh Budget Session Set for February 16 Start
The Himachal Pradesh legislative assembly is gearing up for its budget session for the 2026–27 financial year, scheduled to begin on February 16. Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla has officially approved the session, which will mark the 11th session of the current state assembly. The session will commence in the afternoon with the governor's customary address, followed by condolence motions and legislative business, as confirmed by Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania.
Governor Declines Separate Session for RDG Discussion
Earlier, the state government had requested Governor Shukla to convene a one-day special session on February 17 specifically to address the discontinuation of the revenue deficit grant (RDG) by the central government. This decision follows recommendations from the 16th Finance Commission. However, the governor did not approve a separate session, instead advising that the RDG issue be taken up during the upcoming budget session. According to sources, Governor Shukla emphasized that, as per parliamentary convention, he is required to deliver his customary address at the inaugural sitting of the legislative assembly each year.
Budget Presentation and Session Details
A separate notification regarding the total number of sittings and the exact date for the budget presentation by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who also holds the finance portfolio, will be issued later. For context, last year's budget session was held from March 10 to 28, with the budget for 2025-26 presented on March 17. Speaker Pathania personally met with the governor on Friday to discuss the session arrangements, and Chief Minister Sukhu has stated that the state government has agreed to the governor's advice to incorporate the RDG discussion into the budget session.
Contentious Issues Expected to Dominate Session
The budget session is anticipated to be politically charged and contentious. The state government plans to criticize the Centre for discontinuing the RDG, a grant that Himachal Pradesh has been receiving since 1952. Officials estimate that this discontinuation could result in a loss of Rs 50,000 crore to the state over the next five years. Additionally, the government is likely to raise several other critical issues:
- The non-release of a Rs 1,500-crore disaster relief package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year.
- A pending balance of nearly Rs 9,042 crore under the post-disaster need assessment (PDNA).
- The Centre's free trade agreement with New Zealand and the reduction of import duty on apples from 50% to 25%, which could significantly impact Himachal Pradesh's Rs 4,500 crore apple economy.
Opposition BJP's Agenda for the Session
On the other side of the aisle, the opposition BJP is preparing to target the state government on multiple fronts. Key issues they plan to highlight include:
- Fiscal mismanagement and unmet pre-poll promises.
- Deterioration of law and order, along with rising unemployment.
- Illegal mining activities and increasing drug abuse.
- Delays in elections for panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies.
- Non-release of MLA development funds and discretionary grants.
This sets the stage for a potentially stormy session as both the ruling party and opposition gear up for heated debates on these pressing matters.
