Shimla/ Dharamshala, Feb. 4 -- Congress and BJP traded barbs over the Union Budget with Himachal Pradesh BJP spokesperson Randhir Sharma describing the budget as a major step towards a developed and self-reliant India, while rejecting the opposition's claims that Himachal has been ignored.

Addressing mediapersons in Shimla, Sharma dismissed allegations that Himachal Pradesh has not received any benefits, claiming that the real issue lies not with the Centre but with the state government's functioning and its failure to fully utilise central schemes.

Countering the Himachal government's allegations, Sharma said it is completely incorrect to claim that the state has received nothing in the budget. "Union Budgets do not mention states by n...