Opposition Leader Criticizes Himachal Government Over Employee Issues and Delayed Welfare Schemes

Opposition Leader's Critique of Government Performance

Munish Sood

SHIMLA: Jai Ram Thakur, the Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, intensified his criticism of the Congress government led by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday. He accused the administration of neglecting the concerns of employees, pensioners, and teachers, claiming that numerous government initiatives have faced repeated delays.

Thakur made these statements while honoring Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversaries at Shimla's historic Ridge. He also took part in a cleanliness initiative as part of the Gandhi Jayanti celebrations, commending the efforts of sanitation workers.

Reflecting on the legacies of these two leaders, Thakur emphasized that Gandhi’s values of truth, non-violence, and sacrifice remain significant today, while Shastri’s dedication and integrity continue to motivate the nation.

However, he seized the opportunity to launch a direct political assault on the state government.

Thakur claimed that employees and pensioners are compelled to protest despite the Congress government’s assertions of being supportive of their needs. He also criticized the administration for the ongoing protests by JBT teachers, stating that their issues have not been adequately addressed by the Chief Minister or his cabinet.

He raised concerns regarding the delay in the launch of the ‘Mukhyamantri Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar’ scheme, which was initially announced for Gandhi Jayanti.

Taking aim at Chief Minister Sukhu, Thakur accused the government of postponing the program once again, likening it to a previous delay of a program at Dehuri school in Mandi.

He attributed this latest postponement to the unavailability of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during her scheduled visit to Himachal Pradesh.

Thakur further alleged that the frequent delays in programs indicate a lack of priority given to the state by senior Congress leaders.

He remarked, “It is unfortunate that even the top leadership of the Congress does not take Chief Minister Sukhu seriously,” asserting that the rescheduling of programs and initiatives has been a recurring issue during the current administration due to the absence of senior party figures.

The former Chief Minister also accused Sukhu of neglecting development issues, suggesting that the Chief Minister is focusing on a select group of associates. He claimed that ministers are often required to travel to Delhi to address their concerns with the central leadership.

Meetings in Delhi

When asked about his recent trip to Delhi, Thakur confirmed that he had discussions with Union ministers regarding various matters affecting Himachal Pradesh, including development projects and the state government's operations.

He noted that these meetings also involved reviewing ongoing initiatives and seeking ways for the state to gain additional support from the central government.

Thakur’s comments come amid ongoing political tensions between the BJP and the ruling Congress in Himachal Pradesh, with employee grievances, government initiatives, and development challenges serving as key points of contention for the Opposition.