Shimla, March 18 -- The budget discussion for the 2025-26 financial year witnessed sharp exchange of words between Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur. The primary issue revolved around the significant reduction in the budget outlay for capital works, with both leaders blaming each other for the cuts.
During the debate, Chief Minister Sukhu defended the government's decision to increase the overall budget allocation by Rs 71 crore compared to previous years. He emphasized that despite this increase, a significant reduction in the Revenue Deficit Grant, expected to fall to Rs 3,257 crore in the next year, had affected the state's financial capacity.
Sukhu pointed out that the reduction in grants, a...