CM Sukhu on Wednesday questioned CM Sukhu and MLAs on whether they would raise their voice to protect the rights of Himachal Pradesh, particularly after the Centre stopped key financial grants to the state.
Addressing a large public gathering at Barthin in the Jhandutta Assembly constituency of Bilaspur district, the Chief Minister described 1st February as a “black day” in the history of Himachal Pradesh, stating that the Central Government had discontinued annual grants amounting to nearly ₹10,000 crore. He said the state now stands to lose around ₹50,000 crore over the next five years and questioned the silence of BJP representatives on the issue.
The Chief Minister said that while the present Congress government took loans worth ₹23,000 crore over the last three years, it repaid ₹26,000 crore towards principal and interest. He alleged that the previous BJP government left behind liabilities of over ₹50,000 crore and spent public money for political gains instead of public welfare.
Reiterating the state government’s commitment to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), Sh. Sukhu said that despite pressure, OPS would not be rolled back as long as a Congress government remains in power. He said the Centre had stopped ₹1,600 crore assistance following the implementation of OPS and criticized the Agniveer scheme, questioning the future of youth after four years of service.
The Chief Minister said that although disaster losses were assessed at ₹9,300 crore by a central team, BJP MPs failed to raise the issue in Parliament. He highlighted that the state government enhanced compensation for fully damaged houses from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹7 lakh and provided rent assistance of ₹10,000 in urban areas and ₹5,000 in rural areas.
He accused the BJP of attempting to destabilize the elected government, but said that with public support, the Congress regained a strength of 40 MLAs. He also criticized the Centre for weakening welfare schemes like MGNREGA, stating that BJP MPs had remained silent on the erosion of employment opportunities.
During the event, the Chief Minister announced several development initiatives, including ₹2.5 crore for construction of bridges at Re-Radoh and Dadhog Tappay village, opening of a sub-tehsil at Talai, establishment of a cooperative bank at Malhot, and upgradation of the Primary Health Centre at Kalol. Schools at Barthin, Gehadvi and Jhandutta will be brought under the CBSE curriculum.
He also provided financial assistance of ₹31,000 each to 16 families affected by a road accident at Bhallu Ghat bridge and honoured the family of Shaurya Chakra awardee late Baldev Chand.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the administrative building of Government Polytechnic, Kalol, named after Param Vir Chakra awardee Naib Subedar Sanjay Kumar, built at a cost of ₹3.30 crore. He also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for four development projects worth ₹42.43 crore, including road upgradation, sewerage scheme for Shahtalai town and beautification of Charan Ganga.
The Chief Minister received a warm welcome on his arrival at Barthin. Congress leader Vivek Kumar lauded the Chief Minister’s leadership and efforts to support people during natural disasters and enhance compensation for affected families.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
