No hill state can survive without Centre's aid: Himachal governor

80% of the budget for hilly states comes from the central government and only 20% is generated internally: Shukla

- Shailee Dogra

SHIMLA: Dismissing concerns about insufficient central funding, Himachal Pradesh governor Shiv Pratap Shukla claimed that Himachal has received substantial financial support from the Centre.

"As a representative of the central government, I can affirm that the state has received substantial financial support," the governor said while addressing a media conference held at Himachal Bhawan on the occasion of the completion of his two-year tenure, adding that no hill state can survive without central funding.

"The state government should check diversion of the funds as all aids are given under specific heads," said governor while adding, "80% of the budget for hilly states comes from the central government and only 20% is generated internally. One cannot claim that the central government has been negligent; it has provided complete support," he added further.

"It is often said that the governor is not a political figure. While we may have ideological leanings, once we assume office, we must stay within the constitutional framework," Shukla said on Tuesday.