Shimla, Feb. 5 -- Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday welcomed the Union Budget, calling it a "people's budget" and a "budget for a Developed India," while strongly criticising the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government for what he described as "false guarantees and irresponsible promises" that have pushed the state into a severe financial crisis.

Addressing a press conference in Shimla, Thakur said that the present state government's guarantees have "completely devastated the economy of Himachal Pradesh," adding that over-borrowing had further worsened the situation. He said the state now requires "tough and corrective decisions" to come out of the crisis.

Congratulating Prime M...