Centre has done injustice to Himachal by withdrawing RDG: Rakesh Singha

Shimla, Feb. 5 -- Former CPI(M) MLA Rakesh Singha has accused the Centre of doing grave injustice to the people of Himachal Pradesh by discontinuing the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), terming the move a violation of constitutional propriety and federal principles.

Talking to UNI, Singha said the RDG was being provided under constitutional provisions and the state could not be left without a proper Finance Commission support mechanism, particularly when its share in the national divisible pool has been reduced to less than one percent.

Mr Singha said the union Budget, by blindly following the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission, has ignored the special fiscal needs of hill states like Himachal Pradesh.

He argued that the sharp re...