CM Sukhu slams BJP over paper leaks

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CM Sukhu questions BJP over past paper leaks and defends vigilance probe against MLA Dr Janak Raj.

Shimla , August 20

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the BJP, questioning its record on paper leaks, asserting that his government will not harass anyone without reason but will take action against those involved in allegedly looting the state’s resources.

Sukhu made the remarks while speaking to the media after paying floral tribute to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at his statue in Chhota Shimla on his 82nd birth anniversary. He also appealed to people to observe Sadbhavana Diwas and recalled Rajiv Gandhi’s contributions, including giving young people the right to vote at the age of 18 and the initiative for 33 percent reservation for women.

The Chief Minister said Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas were established under Rajiv Gandhi’s vision for better education. Following the same model, 68 Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools are being developed in Himachal Pradesh. He said farmers were being provided MSP under the Rajiv Gandhi Natural Farming Scheme and that North India’s first testing laboratory has been established in Hamirpur.

On the vigilance inquiry against BJP MLA Dr Janak Raj, Sukhu said the government was not acting out of political vendetta. He said the legislator had been summoned for questioning and should appear before the authorities and provide the relevant facts. “The government is not working with a sense of revenge. Action will be taken against those who loot the state’s resources,” he said.

Targeting the BJP over examination paper leaks, Sukhu questioned why action was not taken when such cases occurred during the previous BJP government. “When paper leaks happened in Himachal Pradesh, did the BJP have its hands tied that it could not take action?” he asked. Sukhu said his government has taken action against those involved in paper leaks and sent the accused behind bars. He claimed that no paper leak has occurred under the present government.

On the police recruitment paper leak case, Sukhu questioned why the CBI was advising the state government to take action against certain officials instead of taking action itself. He asked why the CBI was not acting directly and whom is it trying to protect? He said the government wanted to end the outsourcing system in the education and health sectors.

Sukhu also said the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission had, for the first time, decided to include written examination marks and asserted that there was no scope for recommendations in government recruitment. He said the Congress government was committed to ensuring transparency in the recruitment process.

The Chief Minister also accused some BJP-sponsored journalists on social media of running negative stories against the state government. Responding to allegations of cases being registered against journalists, he said journalists would not face action for reporting facts. However, he warned that action would be taken against attempts to spread false information and create a hostile environment.

Sukhu said the law under which such action was being taken had been enacted by the BJP-led Central government and not the state government. He claimed that the Center had shut down around 4,000 websites, while the Himachal government has not closed any portal. He added that ordinary people were also filing FIRs against some media portals and alleged that a trend of blackmailing was emerging that needed to be curbed.

On the upcoming monsoon session, Sukhu said the government has convened a 10-day session for the first time in 20 years. He urged the Opposition to come to the House with facts and said the government will respond with facts. He said the government was preparing a white paper that will put the facts before the public and establish who was responsible for allegedly exploiting or looting Himachal Pradesh’s resources.

Sukhu told the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition that they could protest and stage walkouts but should also allow the government to present its side in the Assembly.

On the Congress Working Committee meeting and his proposed Delhi visit, Sukhu said various issues have been discussed, and the CWC would decide the party’s program. He said he would visit Delhi after the monsoon session to raise Himachal Pradesh’s issues and its rights before the Central government.

On the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) issue, Sukhu said an important decision was expected soon. He said that if the decision went in Himachal Pradesh’s favour, the state could receive an additional Rs 500 crore in annual revenue. According to the Chief Minister, senior advocate Kapil Sibal would appear in the case.

Sukhu said Haryana had already submitted its affidavit, while Punjab was reluctant to do so. He added that a decision in Himachal Pradesh’s favour will increase the state’s revenue, while Punjab and Haryana will continue to benefit from Himachal Pradesh’s water resources.