Naresh Chauhan, Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister, strongly criticised the opposition today, accusing it of gross negligence during its previous tenure—particularly in the sectors of education and healthcare. He also slammed the Union Government for failing to protect the interests of apple growers in Himachal Pradesh.
Chauhan highlighted the Centre’s recent decision to reduce the import duty on foreign apples from 75% to 50%, despite persistent demands from the state to increase the duty to 100% in order to safeguard local orchardists. He termed this decision a “direct betrayal” of apple growers and a severe blow to their livelihood.
In contrast, Chauhan praised the proactive response of the present state government under the leadership of CM Sukhu. When apple growers raised concerns about the spread of an unidentified disease affecting apple belts, the Chief Minister immediately convened a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor of Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan. Expert teams were promptly dispatched to affected areas, and a scientific investigation is now underway. The Vice-Chancellor has been instructed to submit a detailed report within a week, and several field teams are currently collecting data from impacted farmers.
Emphasising the importance of education, Chauhan said the previous BJP government had allowed Himachal Pradesh to slide to 21st place in the national education index. He contrasted this with the current government’s reforms, which have propelled the state to fifth place nationally. He attributed this success to progressive policies and a clear vision aimed at strengthening educational infrastructure.
The state’s healthcare sector, he added, is also witnessing significant advancements. Robotic surgery facilities, modelled on AIIMS Delhi, have been introduced at the Atal Institute of Medical Super Speciality in Shimla and are being expanded to Tanda, IGMC Shimla, and Hamirpur Medical College. Additionally, for the first time in 23 years, the government has increased the intake of technical students in key medical technician courses at IGMC Shimla and Dr RPGMC Tanda. This step aims to ensure more trained local healthcare professionals are available within the state.
Chauhan condemned the BJP for lacking vision and treating governance as a formality, while the present Congress-led administration is committed to efficient, responsive governance. He asserted that the people of Himachal Pradesh are fully aware of the contrast between hollow rhetoric and meaningful progress.
He concluded by urging the opposition to refrain from political theatrics and instead reflect on its failures. “Our government is accountable to the people—not to an opposition that has repeatedly failed those it now claims to represent,” he said.
