Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu strongly criticized Union Health Minister JP Nadda’s remarks, in which Nadda claimed the Congress-led state government couldn’t function without central assistance.
Sukhu asserted that the revenue deficit grant and the state’s share in central taxes are rightful entitlements, not handouts.
He mentioned that India operates under a federal system and that the Central Government is not doing Himachal any favors by providing assistance.
Sukhu, speaking at the inauguration of a new OPD block at the Cancer Hospital in Shimla, questioned where the central funds come from, stating, “The Central Government collects taxes from the states, so this is not charity. It’s the right of the people and states to receive assistance.”
His response followed Nadda’s recent statement at a rally that the Congress government was financially reliant on the Centre.
