Himachal Pradesh govt has no money to pay salaries: MLA

SHIMLA: Participating in the budget discussion in Himachal Pradesh assembly, BJP MLA Randhir Sharma on Tuesday claimed that the state government has no money to pay salaries to its employees and was therefore directing funds from developmental schemes to pay government servants. He said that the treasury had recalled funds from 77 developmental blocks to pay salaries.
Representing Naina Devi assembly constituency of Bilaspur district, he said Rs 2.50 crore was recalled into the treasury from Bilaspur Sadar block alone. "Even money allotted under MLA development fund and MPLAD too was recalled to pay this month's salary," he added. He said this money should go back to developmental activities as MLAs and MPs have sanctioned them to be used for developmental purpose and the state government had no right over it.
However, refuting the allegations, chief minister Virbhadra Singh said that many a time funds are recalled to balance the central treasury and it was a routine process. "It is an internal arrangement between departments and the treasury. Randhir does not know about finances."
The MLA stated that in the last two years the state government took loan worth Rs 8612 crore to put the state under heavy debt. "Why no investor is ready to invest in hydro power projects in the state. Has the credibility of the government stooped so low due to corruption," he added.