Anurag Thakur, a senior BJP leader and MP, recently launched a sharp attack on Himachal Pradesh's Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Sukhu, over the state's financial troubles.
Thakur accused the government of prioritising the interests of its friends while neglecting and mistreating government employees. His remarks come amidst growing concerns about delayed salary payments for government employees and pensioners in the state.
Thakur, speaking on Wednesday, questioned the government’s inability to manage its finances, pointing out that essential services like schools, colleges, and hospitals were being blamed for the financial crisis.
He challenged Chief Minister Sukhu's reasoning that the opening of 600 schools and healthcare facilities was a burden on the state's finances, sarcastically remarking that providing such services is the basic duty of any government.
He further highlighted the dire situation many government employees and pensioners are facing, noting that it was already September 4, and yet salaries had not been disbursed.
Thakur stated that this delay is unprecedented in Himachal Pradesh’s history, suggesting that the arrival of Congress in power has brought hard times for the state’s workers. His comments reflect the growing frustration among state employees and retirees, who are feeling the pinch of delayed payments.
The financial situation in Himachal Pradesh has been a contentious issue, with the Congress-led government defending its handling of the state’s economy. In response to Thakur’s criticism, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu assured that salaries would be paid by September 4, explaining that the delay was due to the government’s efforts to implement financial reforms.
Sukhu acknowledged that the state was facing an economic crisis when his party took over, but claimed that significant progress has been made in stabilising the situation.
According to Sukhu, the state's economy has improved by 20 percent compared to the previous year, and his government is committed to further reforms aimed at financial discipline.
Sukhu also elaborated on the steps being taken to manage the state’s financial challenges. He explained that the government often has to take loans with interest rates as high as 7.5 percent just to disburse salaries a few days in advance.
This practice, he said, costs the state around Rs 3 crore monthly in interest payments. Sukhu emphasised that his government is working to streamline these processes and reduce unnecessary financial burdens, suggesting that the state is on a path toward long-term economic improvement.
Despite these assurances, the opposition remains unconvinced, with Thakur and other BJP leaders continuing to criticise the Congress-led administration for its handling of the economy.
They argue that the government’s priorities are skewed, benefiting select groups while failing to address the needs of ordinary citizens and state employees.
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