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Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said that the funds allocated by the central government to Himachal Pradesh are the state's rightful entitlement, not an act of charity. He said that Himachal Pradesh is an integral part of the federal structure, where each state has both rights and responsibilities.

"Where does the union government collect its taxes from? It is the states' contributions that form the central revenue. Therefore, states have a legitimate claim on this tax revenue. The union government is not distributing charity but returning what is due. The Revenue Deficit Grant is a rightful entitlement of the people of Himachal Pradesh, and we are also entitled to our share in central taxes," he asserted while addressing a press conference.

Sukhu was responding to a statement by Union Health Minister J P Nadda that Congress cannot run the Himachal Pradesh government without the Centre's support even for a day.  The chief minister said that the Union minister who is also the BJP national president should be aware that "we are in a federal system".

Addressing reporters here, Sukhu said that these statements do not suit the Union Minister. "From where the Centre gets its taxes? … Centre gets taxes from the state and the funds given to the state is our right and not doles," he said.

Referring to raids conducted by the Enforcement Directorate in Nadaun- the home constituency of Sukhu, the chief minister said that ever since the Congress won the Assembly by-polls and its tally again rose to 40 members in Vidhan Sabha, the BJP leaders are levelling personal allegations.  The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax (IT) department sleuths had conducted raids on the establishments and houses of some businessmen and contractors on June 29 and July 4 in Himachal's Hamirpur and Kangra districts. The investigation agencies collected documents after conducting raids at jewellery shops, petrol pumps and crushers.

Referring to the "toilet tax", Sukhu said "show me one person in the 75 lakh population of the state who has been asked to pay the toilet tax. The union minister was making a false statement in view of the Haryana assembly polls, the chief minister asserted.  So far, neither electricity subsidy has been stopped nor water bills have been charged, he said and added that the state government has reduced the subsidy for 1,000 five-star hotels earning a profit between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 10 crore, he said.

On September 21, the state Jal Shakti department issued a notification regarding the imposition of Rs 25 tax per sewerage seat in urban areas.  Besides this, a tax of Rs 100 was imposed on water in rural areas. However, the notification was withdrawn after it was sent to Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri.   Agnihotri, in a post on social media, said it was the BJP government which imposed a sewerage tax in 2018. The government already charges 30 per cent tax of the total water bill as sewerage charges, he had added.


CM inaugurates new tertiary cancer hospital building at IGMC, Shimla

The Chief Minister also inaugurated the newly constructed five-story tertiary cancer hospital building at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla. Built at a cost of Rs. 13.50 crore, the facility aims to significantly enhance cancer treatment capabilities in the state. With the bed capacity increased from 20 to 65, the hospital is poised to provide improved care to cancer patients.

Sukhu said that the state government was committed to offering world-class cancer treatment by adopting the latest medical technologies. The IGMC would soon be equipped with advanced radiation therapy systems, including Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT). A CT Simulator machine worth Rs. 7.77 crore had already been installed, and commissioning was in progress. Additionally, a LINAC machine costing Rs. 24 crore was also being set up and was expected to be operational by January 25, 2025, further advancing the facility's cancer treatment options.

He said that the state government had allocated Rs. 20 crore for a PET scan machine to be installed in IGMC Shimla, which would aid in early cancer detection. "Cancer is curable when the right treatment is provided at the right time. To enhance cancer care, a center of excellence is being established in Hamirpur district. Additionally, a state-level committee of leading cancer specialists has been formed to offer guidance on the latest treatment technologies and improve care," he stated.