Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu. Jagran Archive
Prakash Bhardwaj, Shimla. After the closure of revenue deficit grant, all the departments of Himachal government have started the process of cutting unnecessary expenses. Besides, efforts to raise additional revenue have also been intensified. This year a target has been set to collect additional revenue of Rs 3000 crore. In the last three years, Rs 3300 crore has been raised through tax revenue and Rs 1600 crore has been raised through non-tax revenue. In the recently held Cabinet meeting, it was decided that each department will inform the Cabinet as to what steps it has taken and what benefits have been derived from those steps. The performance of public enterprises will decide whether they will be closed or not.
Suggestion to stop free drinking water supply
During the budget session, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri told the Assembly that the ministry had suggested stopping the supply of free drinking water in rural areas. Similarly, the 16th Finance Commission had directed the state government to stop or reduce the subsidy.
Plan to raise Rs 3000 crore through these steps
Loss of Rs 10 thousand crore due to closure of RDG
After the closure of revenue deficit grant, the state government will suffer a loss of Rs 10,000 crore annually. That means there will be a loss of Rs 50 thousand crore in five years. In such a situation, the state's income during the next financial year is sure to be Rs 42 thousand crore and expenditure Rs 48 thousand crore. The government has no other option to bridge the deficit of Rs 6 thousand crores. In such a situation, the deficit had to be bridged through revenue deficit grants. After the cessation of revenue deficit grant, the state government is facing a serious financial situation. In the current financial year, the state government is receiving RDG Rs 3257 crore.
After the closure of RDG, the situation of the state is not hidden from anyone. In the last cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister has instructed all the officers to implement measures to increase income and cut expenses. Information about what measures were taken by which department will have to be told to the Secretary of the concerned department in the cabinet meeting to be held in the near future. - Devesh Kumar, Principal Secretary Finance.
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