Dharamshala, Dec. 2 -- Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, on the fourth day of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly's winter session on Monday, said that the hill state is going through a serious financial crisis. Sukhu was responding to a query raised by Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur regarding the pending MLA Area Development Fund during the Zero Hour. The opposition BJP legislators had earlier on November 27 held a protest against the state government for not releasing the MLA area development fund. Speaking in the House, Sukhu said, "The MLA funds are the right of MLAs. And it is also true that the state is going through a serious financial crisis. After two installments, we are facing issues in releasing the third installment. I accept that MLAs have been facing difficulties for some time now. This is happening because of the decline in our Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) in recent years. It has come down to Rs.3,200 crore from Rs.11,000 crore earlier, which is a gap of around Rs.8,000 crore." He also said that he recently met the Union finance minister and will meet her again in January. "We presented our financial numbers and facts. The financial situation remains critical, and we might have to wait until January for the MLA Area Development Funds," he said. Earlier, raising the issue, Jai Ram Thakur said that the MLA Area Development Fund is the only means available to an MLA for carrying out development work in his constituency. "Although two installments have been released, the actual amount is still not being disbursed. We have given sanctions and letters have also been issued, but people are still waiting for the money. This has raised questions about the MLAs." Two key bills were introduced in the Himachal Pradesh legislative assembly's winter session on Monday. Rajesh Dharmani, minister of town and country planning, on Monday introduced the real estate (Regulation and Development) Himachal Pradesh Amendment Bill, 2025. The bill seeks to make amendments to the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, intending to enhance the governance and administrative efficiency of the Himachal Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority. Another bill, The Himachal Pradesh Recruitment and Conditions of Service of Government Employees (Amendment) Bill 2025, was also introduced by CM Sukhu....