Govt spent Rs 25 cr on celebrations despite financial crunch: Jai Ram

Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur today said that at a time when the state was facing a financial crisis, the government spent Rs 25 crore to celebrate its two years in office at Bilaspur.

Thakur, while addressing mediapersons here, said, “It is for the first time in the history of Himachal that the government has nothing to showcase in the name of achievements after two-year rule. This is also the reason that senior central Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, did not attend the two-year celebrations of the government.

He claimed that till now, the government had spent Rs 10 crore on engaging lawyers to save the Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPS) but made no efforts to save the Himachal Bhawan in New Delhi from being attached.

Thakur said that the government was endeavouring to ensure that the government survives. “We respect democratic norms but seeing the conditions in the state, it seems difficult that the government will survive,” he added. He claimed that the Central Government was extending all possible help to Himachal whether it was for disaster relief or various schemes.

He alleged, “An attempt is being made to hand over prestigious Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) hotels, even those making profits, to private players.” He asked the government why the Baddi SP, who had launched a crackdown on illegal mining, had abruptly proceeded on a long leave.

Thakur said, “Senior Congress leaders are involved in illegal liquor, illegal mining, land and other activities. Also, 112 hectares belonging to HP Agriculture University, Palampur, was being given for setting up a tourism village but on court orders, the matter has been put on hold.” He alleged that all development works had come to a standstill and the state government could not crush the voice of the Opposition or the media.

He also took a dig at Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri for his outburst against the BJP and the bureaucracy. “The Deputy Chief Minister’s remarks are a clear indication of his frustration over being sidelined.”