Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced a significant financial milestone for Himachal Pradesh on Saturday, stating that the state has generated Rs 26,683 crore in revenue from its own resources over the past two and a half years. This figure marks an impressive increase of approximately Rs 3,800 crore compared to the average revenue collected during the tenure of the previous government.
Auction Policy Drives Revenue Windfall
Sukhu attributed a major portion of this financial success to a decisive policy shift initiated after the Congress government came to power. The administration replaced the old system of renewing liquor vend licenses with an auction-cum-tender process. This move proved to be a game-changer for the state's coffers.
According to the Chief Minister, the new auction policy for liquor vends yielded a staggering Rs 5,408 crore in revenue. This stands in stark contrast to the mere Rs 1,114 crore generated under the previous BJP government's regime, which relied on an annual license renewal system with a fixed 10% fee increase. Sukhu emphasized that this substantial increase in income was unprecedented during the opposition's tenure.
Addressing a Legacy of Debt and Liabilities
The financial presentation was not solely about achievements. CM Sukhu provided a sobering account of the fiscal challenges inherited by his government. He stated that upon assuming office, the Congress administration was confronted with a debt burden exceeding Rs 75,000 crore left by the BJP, along with additional employee liabilities of around Rs 10,000 crore.
The Chief Minister detailed the immediate impact of this inherited debt. His government was compelled to allocate a significant portion of its resources to debt servicing. Rs 12,266 crore was paid in interest and Rs 8,087 crore in principal on the loans inherited from the previous regime, accounting for 70% of what he termed an "enforced loan."
This massive outflow constrained funds for development. Sukhu revealed that of the Rs 29,046 crore in loans taken by the Congress government so far, only Rs 8,693 crore remains available for funding crucial development projects across the state.
Roadmap to a Self-Reliant Himachal by 2027
Despite the inherited constraints, the Sukhu-led government is pushing forward with a clear vision. The Chief Minister outlined that the revenue-boosting initiatives are part of a broader strategy aimed at achieving a monumental goal: making Himachal Pradesh fully self-reliant by the year 2027.
Additional measures to optimize state resources include rationalizing rentals for public properties and speeding up tender processes for various projects. These steps underscore the administration's commitment to fiscal efficiency and maximizing returns on state assets.
The long-term vision extends beyond fiscal consolidation. Sukhu stated that the path to self-reliance is designed to ensure sustainable economic growth and promote green energy development within the hill state. The ultimate objective is to significantly reduce the debt burden and position Himachal Pradesh as a model of prosperity and sustainable development by 2032.
