Bindal attacks state govt over closure of schools

Our Correspondent

Nahan, August 18

BJP state president Rajeev Bindal today accused the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led state government of systematically closing down schools, hospitals and other institutions across Himachal Pradesh.

Addressing the media here today, Bindal claimed that in the past year-and-a-half, the Congress government had shut down more than 1,100 institutions established during the previous BJP regime. He added that the Congress government was now planning to close over 800 more schools.

Bindal said the government had stopped bus routes in remote areas, cut water subsidy in rural areas, eliminated electricity concessions and discontinued with medical bill reimbursement facility for pensioners. “They have shut down schools, colleges, hospitals and offices,” he said, expressing concern over the widespread impact of these decisions on the public.

He specifically targeted Congress leaders in Sirmaur district and Nahan for being responsible for the closure of public institutions that were opened for the benefit of the people. Bindal mentioned that the Government Primary School in Dholasari is being closed, forcing students to travel to the Junglabhud school, located 8 km away. Similarly, the Bakarla school is being merged with the Surla school and the students of Nagoli School are being shifted to Talon, he added.

He dared the local Congress leaders to walk 8-km stretch from Dholasari to Junglabhud and back. “If they can make this journey on foot daily, only then should they justify the closure of these schools,” he said.

Bindal attacked the Congress leaders for previously closing Kala Amb tehsil, primary health centres in Panjahal, Sainwala and Trilokpur, and five patwar circles, along with three veterinary dispensaries. He accused them of delivering a “big reward” to the people of Nahan now by closing down schools.