HIMACHAL NEEDS TO BE SELF-SUSTAINING

Apropos the news item, ‘Debate ensues over state’s fiscal health’ (HT, Oct 19). The claim of Himachal government that the state has been starved of funds by the Centre has some substance. However, chief minister Virbhadra Singh should have adopted better finance-management techniques. If the state spends 60% of owned or loaned money on the salaries and pension, what can it pledge for development? If the state is in a financial crisis, how come the CM is consistently announcing new projects during his whirlwind tours of the state. Himachal should work for self-sufficiency with strict financial discipline. RM RAMAUL, PAONTA SAHIB