Shimla, March 24 -- Criticising the Budget presented by chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur termed it as "lackluster".

Talking to the media persons after participating in the budget discussion, Thakur questioned, "How can Himachal become self-reliant amid budget cuts on social security pensions, education, rural development, agriculture and roads?"Terming the budget a "bundle of lies" designed to mislead the state's people, he said that budgets of key departments have been slashed by more than half over the last two years.

Thakur stated, "I have had the privilege of witnessing the presentation of 29 budgets in this House-five of which I presented myself in my capacity as Finance Minister. However, ...