North News

Shimla, August 29

In light of the severe financial crisis faced by the Government, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on Thursday that he, along with all ministers, chief parliamentary secretaries, and chairpersons of boards and corporations, will forgo their salaries and allowances for the next two months. Speaking in the Vidhan Sabha, Sukhu urged all members of the Assembly to voluntarily adopt a similar stance.

Sukhu emphasized that while efforts are underway to increase revenue and reduce unproductive expenditure, it will take time for these measures to yield visible results. He expressed deep concern over the state’s precarious financial position, noting that the revenue deficit grant (RDG) for the year 2023-24, originally set at Rs 8,058 crore, has already been reduced by Rs 1,800 crore, bringing it down to Rs 6,258 crore for the current financial year.  Looking ahead, Sukhu warned that the situation will become even more challenging in 2025-26, when the revenue deficit grant is expected to be slashed by an additional Rs 3,000 crore, leaving the state with only Rs 3,257 crore to meet its financial needs.