Premium

Will draw a Re1 salary until Himachal emerges from financial crisis: BJP MLA Prakash Rana

The reduction in capital expenditure and a minuscule increase in the budget size by mere Rs 71 crore over last year clearly reflects the fiscal stress the state is facing.

4 min readUpdated: Dec 2, 2025 12:12 PM IST

BJP MLA from Himachal Pradesh, Prakash Rana, announced he will draw only Re 1 as salary from the state exchequer until the state is free from its severe financial crisis. (Facebook: prakashranajogindernagar)

A BJP MLA Monday informed the Vidhan Sabha that he will take drawn only Re 1 as salary till Himachal Pradesh does not come out of the financial crisis.

Participating in a debate on the issue of natural disaster brought under Rule 130 by Congress MLA Kewal Singh Pathania, BJP’s Jogindernagar MLA Prakash Rana said, “It is not important which government is in power. It is our collective responsibility to bring Himachal out of debt. We should be ashamed that a baby born in the state today has a debt of around Rs 1.50 lakh to Rs 2 lakh. I have decided to draw a Re 1-salary from the state exchequer till the state does not come out of the financial disaster (crisis).”

As Rana announced this, members sitting on both sides thumped their desks in his support and appreciation.

Congress member Sanjay Rattan, who was presiding over the House, asked Rana whether he meant that he would receive merely a Re 1 salary till the state came out of the natural disaster or financial crisis?

To this, the BJP MLA replied, “We are yet to come out of the consequences of the natural disaster, because the state is facing a financial crisis. I mean to say that I will receive Re 1 salary until the state comes out of the financial crisis.”

Acknowledging the BJP MLA’s decision, Industry Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said, “We have been stuck in a debt-trap. Taking debt has become a necessity for every government. There are many reasons, like the lack of strong policies. We all, including BJP and Congress MLAs, should come together to work towards permanent solutions for defeating the problem of debt.”

Chauhan further said, “There are many loopholes in our rules, too. For instance, Section 118 of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act gives a right to an outsider to purchase land in the state. This has become a source of corruption. We should all sit together and chart a strategy to come out of this problem.”

Story continues below this ad

Rana was elected from the Jogindernagar constituency in the 2022 Assembly elections. He polled 33,782 votes and defeated his nearest rival Surender Paul Thakur of the Congress, by a margin of 4,339 votes.

Himachal Pradesh continues to grapple with severe fiscal stress marked by rising debt, limited revenue generation and a heavy salary and pension burden. Himachal’s debt is projected to reach Rs 1.03 lakh crore in 2025-26, equivalent to 40.5 per cent of the state’s GSDP, marginally lower than the 40.8 per cent in 2024-25. The reduction in capital expenditure and a minuscule increase in the budget size by mere Rs 71 crore over last year clearly reflects the fiscal stress the state is facing. The deficit in 2025-26 is expected to be Rs 10,338 crore — 4.04 per cent of the SGDP.

Participating in the discussion, Congress Chamba MLA Neeraj Nayyar questioned the transfer of Rs 10,000 into bank accounts of 75, 00,000 women in Bihar by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Rozgar Yojna just a month before the Assembly elections.

Referring to the losses caused by natural disasters in the state, Nayyar said, “I want to ask my colleagues sitting in the Opposition when our Prime Minister could transfer Rs 10,000 into accounts of lakhs of women in Bihar before the elections, why cannot he allocate funds to Himachal, which faced huge loss during the natural disasters in the past three years.”

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Loading Taboola...