Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], April 21 (ANI): A political row has erupted in Himachal Pradesh following remarks made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President and Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda during his recent two-day visit to the state. Nadda had accused the Congress-led Himachal government of stalling the proposed Medical Device Park project, a major central initiative.
Responding sharply, the Chief Minister’s Principal Media Advisor, Naresh Chauhan, held a press conference in Shimla on Monday to refute Nadda’s claims and present what he termed the “real facts” behind the project’s cancellation and its reconfiguration by the state government.
“Unfortunately, a leader of JP Nadda’s stature is indulging in factually incorrect and politically motivated statements instead of helping Himachal Pradesh resolve its major issues with the Centre,” said Naresh Chauhan, Principal Media Advisor to the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister.
While speaking to ANI, Chauhan began by acknowledging Nadda’s senior position and expressing respect for his achievements, but questioned his statements.
“We are proud that JP Nadda Ji has reached such a significant national position. As the BJP president and Union Health Minister, he holds an important office, and we have always welcomed that. However, it is deeply unfortunate that the statements he made during his recent visit regarding the Medical Device Park were factually incorrect,” Chauhan said.
Chauhan explained that the original Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed under the previous BJP-led state government was not in the interest of Himachal Pradesh or its people.
According to him, the agreement required the state to provide 300 acres (approximately 1,500 bighas) of land at just Rs1 per square meter, which valued the entire parcel, worth at least Rs500 crores, at a paltry Rs12 lakhs.
Additionally, the state was expected to supply electricity at Rs3 per unit, despite purchasing it at Rs7 per unit. Other terms included.
He said that no GST share for the state, and even the little it was to receive, 70% was waived for ten years, No maintenance costs from the Centre for a decade, Free water supply for 10 years.
“Such conditions were completely unfavourable. Once our government took charge, the Chief Minister decided to cancel the agreement. We returned the Rs25 crore advance, along with interest, that had been received for the project,” Chauhan clarified.
He added that despite rejecting the flawed agreement, the state did not abandon the project. Instead, it is now being developed entirely by the Himachal Pradesh government with an investment of over Rs130 crores already made.
“The infrastructure is well underway. The park is progressing rapidly, and in the future, we will offer plots to industrialists at market rates, not at throwaway prices,” Chauhan said.
Responding to Nadda’s allegation that the Congress government had halted a central project, Chauhan said that the state government never cancelled any projected rather reshaved the agreement in the interest of the state.
“What exactly is he trying to say? That we cancel a project? No. We redesigned it to protect the state’s resources. This wasn’t a Rs300 crore project. They were taking Rs500 crore worth of land for Rs12 lakhs. And we were supposed to bear the burden of cheap electricity, waived taxes, and infrastructure costs. We are investing in it ourselves, without any delay,” he said.
Chauhan called out Nadda for turning a policy issue into a political controversy.
“It is unfortunate that a leader of his stature is engaging in such politically charged misinformation. Someone in his position should be focused on helping the state resolve bigger issues with the Centre,” he added.
Chauhan questioned the BJP’s contribution to the state beyond rhetoric.
“Instead of counting our rightful tax share and federal grants as some kind of gift, Nadda Ji should tell us, has the Centre offered any special industrial package for Himachal? Have they helped with the release of Rs9,200 crore stuck in employee dues? What about our share in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB)? Have they done anything about that?” he asked.
He also accused the BJP of attempting to topple the elected Congress government through political manipulation, a move widely criticised and resisted by the public. Chauhan reaffirmed by saying the Congress government is committed to protecting Himachal’s interests and working with integrity.
“The entire opposition is issue-less and increasingly leader-less. Unfortunately, even matters of development are being politicised. We didn’t stop the project, we saved the state from exploitation and are now building the park ourselves,” he said.
On BJP leaders expressing “delight” over the state allegedly not receiving central funds, he expressed his sorrow about such leaders.
“There are BJP leaders who rejoice at the Centre withholding money from the state are not weakening the government; they are weakening Himachal itself. Such thinking is petty and disappointing,” he added. (ANI)
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