SHIMLA-10 Feb, 2026

CM assures to continue OPS and other welfare Schemes despite RDG withdrawal

• BJP abstained themselves from presentation on RDG willfully
• BJP misused RDG during their tenure in freebies rather than building capital infra

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while addressing the media today, reaffirmed the State Government’s unwavering commitment to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and various public welfare initiatives, despite the Central Government’s withdrawal of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG). The Chief Minister emphasized that the government would continue these schemes by mobilizing its own resources, ensuring that the rightful entitlements of the people remain protected under all circumstances.

Refuting the opposition's stance, the Chief Minister stated that had the BJP been in power, they would have replaced the OPS with the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), effectively ending the security currently enjoyed by government employees. Drawing from his own background in a common family, he expressed a deep understanding of the concerns of the general public and vowed that his administration would never compromise on their interests. He noted that while the Finance Department manages the technicalities of the state's fiscal health, the government’s priority remains the enhancement of resources to drive the state forward.

Chief Minister Sukhu leveled allegations against the previous BJP government led by Jai Ram Thakur, accusing it of gross financial mismanagement between 2018 and 2021. He pointed out that during its five-year tenure, the previous government received a substantial Rs. 54,000 crore as RDG and Rs. 16,000 crore as GST compensation. However, he alleged these funds were misused to favor contractors and cited the expenditure of nearly Rs. 1,000 crore on the construction of buildings that currently stand vacant and underutilized.

In contrast, the Chief Minister highlighted that the present government has received only Rs. 17,000 crore in RDG over the last three years but has successfully maintained strict economic discipline. He reported that the State Government has generated Rs. 26,683 crore from its own resources and plans to implement further stringent measures to bolster the economy. Stressing that the interests of the state must transcend party lines, he urged the BJP to support the state’s pursuit of its rights before the Central Government rather than deceiving the public.

Addressing the critical nature of the Revenue Deficit Grant, which is provided under Article 275(1) of the Constitution to bridge the revenue-expenditure gap, the Chief Minister warned that the annual loss of Rs 10,000 crore would severely constrain the budget of a small hilly state like Himachal Pradesh. He characterized the withdrawal of the grant as "step-motherly treatment" by the Centre, asserting that Himachal Pradesh, by its geographical and economic nature, remains a revenue-deficit state. He declared his resolve to meet with the Prime Minister to seek the restoration of the RDG, describing himself as a "warrior" ready to fight for the state's legitimate share on every platform.

Finally, the Chief Minister dismissed claims made by the Leader of the Opposition regarding the lack of a formal invitation to a financial briefing. By producing copies of personal letters sent to Jai Ram Thakur and other BJP MLAs, he clarified that they were invited to discuss the financial impact of the RDG discontinuation. He criticized the BJP for willfully abstaining from the meeting and called on all stakeholders to rise above political affiliations to collectively advocate for the welfare of the people of Himachal Pradesh.

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CM condoles demise of father of Senior Journalist

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu have expressed grief over the demise of Roshan Lal Manta (81), father of senior journalist Him Kiran Manta who breathed his last at Palampur after a prolonged illness.

The Chief Minister said that this is an irreparable loss for the family.

He prayed to the Almighty for the peace of departed soul and give strength to the bereaved family members to bear this irreparable loss.

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TCP launches time-bound system for public grievances and TCP related complaints

A spokesperson of Town and Country Planning Department (TCP) today here informed that the department has issued new guidelines to ensure transparency and time-bound redressal of public grievances related to town and village planning. He said that the objective of this grievance redressal system was to create a transparent and effective mechanism for resolving TCP-related complaints and to ensure their timely disposal at the local level.

He said that under the new system, grievance redressal authorities have been constituted at the divisional, sub-divisional and office levels. At the Divisional Town Planning Office, a Divisional Town Planning Grievance Redressal Authority has been set up where people can submit their complaints to the Town and Country Planner. If the complainant was not satisfied with the decision, an appeal can be filed before the State Town Planner. Similarly, at the Sub-Divisional Town Planning Office, complaints can be submitted to the Assistant Town Planner and in case of dissatisfaction, an appeal can be made to the Town and Country Planner.

The Spokesperson further said that in districts where Divisional Town Planning Offices were not available, people of Chamba district can submit their complaints to the Town and Country Planner at Dharamshala, residents of Una district to the Town and Country Planner at Hamirpur, and residents of Bilaspur district to the Town and Country Planner at Mandi. At the Town Planning Office level, complaints can be filed with the Planning Officer and if the complainant is not satisfied with the resolution, the complaint can be forwarded to the Town and Country Planner.

He said that complaints must be heard within 15 working days and resolved within 30 working days. If a complaint is not resolved within this period, it will be forwarded for further action within five working days. Appeals will be registered within five working days, and the hearing and review process will be completed within 30 working days. A final decision on appeals will be issued within 60 working days from the date of registration.

The Spokesperson added that complainants can submit their grievances through a dedicated portal on the TCP website or in the prescribed format at the District Town Planner Office. To ensure effective monitoring, a State Grievance Monitoring Committee will be constituted to review the grievance redressal process, and the committee will submit half-yearly reports to the government.

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CM interacts with ‘Children of the State’ on educational and experiential tour to Jaipur

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today interacted with 'Children of the State' of Child Care Institutions (CCIs) of Sundernagar, Talyar, Bharnal and Dehar in Mandi district through a video call. The children are on an educational and experiential tour to Chandigarh and Jaipur under the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana.

During the interaction, the Chief Minister encouraged the children to make the most of this opportunity. He said that such tours offer valuable exposure and help in understanding various subjects in a practical and engaging manner. He asked whether they had ever travelled by air, to which the children excitedly shared that it was their first flight experience.

He also enquired about their accommodation and food arrangements and advised them to remain focused on their studies, especially in view of their upcoming examinations. He said that state government was committed for the betterment of these children and assured the children of full care and support up to the age of 27 years.

A total of 31 children from the four Child Care Institutions are participating in the tour. The Chief Minister said that the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana is not limited to providing protection but is aimed at creating opportunities that ensure a secure and dignified future for orphan children.

The objective of the tour is to acquaint the children with national integration, cultural heritage, modern infrastructure and educational institutions, thereby supporting their holistic development. Such educational and experiential visits, he added, play a vital role in building self-confidence, curiosity, social awareness and a deeper understanding of the country.

He directed the concerned officers to ensure that there is no lapse in the safety, comfort and well-being of the children during the tour.

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