Former Himachal CM Criticizes Congress Government Over RTI Changes

On Tuesday, Jai Ram Thakur, the former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and leader of the opposition, launched a fierce critique against the Congress government. He accused the administration of attempting to conceal corruption and mislead the public by altering the Right to Information (RTI) framework. Speaking to reporters in Shimla ahead of the resumption of the assembly budget session, Thakur asserted that this move contradicts the essence of the RTI law established during former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's tenure. He expressed concerns over the government's reluctance to provide clear answers, questioning, 'What are they trying to hide? You can obscure facts temporarily, but the truth will eventually come to light.'

Thakur specifically targeted Chief Minister Sukhu, alleging that he has repeatedly misled the public and failed to maintain their trust. He remarked, 'The most alarming issue is that the Chief Minister is not living up to the public's expectations. How many times has he misled the people? How often has he made incorrect statements at public events?' Furthermore, Thakur accused the government of attempting to exclude matters related to the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau from the purview of the RTI, raising questions about the motives behind such decisions. He stated, 'The RTI Act was introduced to ensure transparency. Today, the same Congress party is trying to undermine it. What are they trying to conceal?' He mentioned that the opposition is considering all possible options within the rules and is strategizing to raise these issues in the assembly. 'We will sit together to discuss our notices and ensure that these matters are debated in the house.'

Expressing concern over a purported vigilance investigation, Thakur emphasized that the public has the right to know about allegations, prosecutions, and progress in such cases. He questioned, 'If an investigation has been ordered, what actions have been taken? Why is information being concealed?' The former Chief Minister accused the government of rising corruption in the state, alleging irregularities in forest clearances and claiming that rules are being violated. He noted, 'A limited number of trees are permitted to be cut, yet significantly more are being felled. This indicates a broader pattern.' He further alleged that industries are leaving Himachal Pradesh, and the state is facing challenging circumstances. 'Himachal is going through a very difficult phase. There is confusion in governance and policies.'