Himachal Assembly Leaders Unite Against Drug Crisis

Bipartisan Efforts to Combat Drug Abuse

Sourabh Sood

Dharamshala: In a rare show of unity, members from both the ruling Congress and the Opposition BJP entered the Himachal Pradesh Assembly on the last day of the winter session, donning jerseys that read “Chitta Mukt Himachal, Ek Naya Himachal.” This act symbolized a collective commitment to tackle the escalating drug problem in the region.

While the Assembly showcased a united front against drug abuse, discussions also turned contentious over various topics, particularly the alleged mismanagement of the Himcare health initiative. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu assured the Assembly that a thorough investigation into the financial discrepancies would be conducted, noting that the Comptroller and Auditor General is currently reviewing the expenditures.

Sukhu explained that the Himcare scheme, designed to provide free medical treatment to economically disadvantaged families, had reportedly been exploited to benefit private healthcare providers. He acknowledged that while assistance has reached those in need, there have been instances of misuse, which he classified as corruption.

To streamline the issuance of Himcare cards, the Chief Minister announced that principals and medical superintendents at medical colleges would be temporarily authorized to process these cards. He promised that the government would implement stricter measures to prevent further irregularities. This clarification was in response to inquiries from BJP MLAs Vinod Kumar and Trilok Jamwal.

The Opposition later pressed for information regarding whether the government had engaged any outsourced agency through the Information and Public Relations Department or other means, seeking clarity on the duration of services and payments approved until October 31, 2025.

Disputes intensified when Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi filed a privilege notice against Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, calling for appropriate action. The Speaker indicated that the Assembly Secretariat would review the matter before taking further action, leading to a heated exchange that necessitated a 10-minute adjournment.