Shimla, Feb. 1 -- The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, on Sunday termed the tapering and effective ending of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) as a "black day for Himachal Pradesh", alleging that it amounts to a violation of the constitutional rights of states under India's federal structure.

Speaking to ANI, Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh has been receiving the Revenue Deficit Grant under Article 275(1) since 1952 and that discontinuing it ignores the structural realities of hill states.

"The cut and ending of the Revenue Deficit Grant is a direct violation of the constitutional rights of states in a federal structure. Small and mountainous states like Himachal Pradesh can never become revenue-surplus states. This...