Shimla : The CPI(M) has warned the ruling BJP government in Himachal Pradesh against borrowing Rs 300 crore from the open market for the second time this year .
“This is the second loan the government is availing this year. It will not be utlised for raising the state’s GSDP but will be used to pay mounting interest from previous loans,†Tikender Panwar , CPM leader told the Hill Post , Monday here.
“We ridicule both the BJP and Congress for landing the state in such a fiscal mess , soon the government may not be in a position to pay salaries and pensions ,†Panwar said .
“The fiscal position has been made worse by the 13 th finance commission which has been absolutely insensitive to the state ,†he said .
The CPM feels the primary wealth of forests of the state was snatched after its nationalisation and the Himachal was offered a special category status , but even this was withdrawn by the centre.
The other major source of hydro power generation has not worked in the interets of the state as majority are being commissioned either by central government agencies or by private houses .
The state gets a paltry 12 per cent distress cost , while the legitimate demand of 15 per cent distress cost, royalty and 25 per cent equity has never been raised neither by the BJP nor the Congress .
The CPM has asked the chief minister P.K.Dhumal to immediately convene an all party meeting and develop a consensus of asking and mounting pressure on the central government to provide grant-in-aid and not loans .
This was not happening despite two ministers from the state being in the union cabinet .
In a 20 year career published widely. He has worked for the BBC, AFP, The Statesman, IANS and the Business Standard . Known for his hard hitting writing and occasional off-beat stories. He lives in Shimla.
