The North News
Chandigarh, November 3
Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur has called on the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government to take direct responsibility for strengthening disaster management systems in the state, warning that over-reliance on central aid could leave Himachal vulnerable in future calamities.
Speaking at the Chandigarh Press Club on Monday, Jai Ram Thakur said the Centre’s ₹1,500 crore special package for disaster-hit Himachal Pradesh was a significant gesture but “not a permanent solution.” He urged the state government to prioritise a comprehensive disaster management plan and ensure financial resilience. “It’s not only the Centre’s responsibility to provide aid — the state government must plan ahead, build capacity, and act swiftly when disaster strikes,” he said.
Thakur accused the Congress regime of failing to deliver on its pre-poll promises and “governing without direction.” He alleged that the state administration was preoccupied with student politics instead of governance. “This is not a government but an NSUI unit,” he remarked.
The BJP leader also raised concern over press freedom, condemning reports that the Punjab Police disrupted newspaper distribution in parts of the state. “Freedom of the press should never be curtailed. It is a dangerous precedent for democracy,” he said.
On Himachal’s internal issues, Thakur accused the government of encouraging illegal land sales despite legal provisions barring outsiders from buying agricultural land. “The Congress regime is quietly enabling large-scale land transactions, undermining the spirit of Himachal’s land laws,” he claimed.
He also blamed the state government for the surge in illegal mining, saying it had fuelled crime and weakened environmental safeguards.
Addressing Himachal’s share in Chandigarh, Thakur said the BJP would “pursue all constitutional means” to assert its claim but would “not engage in hostility” with neighbouring states.
Expressing concern over the growing drug menace, Thakur recalled that during the BJP government, joint meetings were held among the Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttarakhand to coordinate anti-narcotics efforts. He urged the current government to strengthen enforcement and introduce tougher laws to combat trafficking.
Thakur further criticised the state’s mounting debt, claiming that Himachal’s liabilities had more than doubled under Congress rule — from ₹69,000 crore under the BJP to ₹1.5 lakh crore today. “The government’s reckless spending is driving the state towards financial instability,” he warned.
Referring to recent political turmoil, including the defection of six Congress MLAs and the party’s loss of its Rajya Sabha seat, Thakur said these developments reflected public dissatisfaction. “Since 1985, Himachal’s people have voted for change every five years. With this government’s non-performance, that pattern will continue,” he said.
