‘Insult to democracy’: Minister on Sectt staff leaders’ remarks

Shimla, August 24

Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani today said the use of abusive and derogatory langvuage by leaders of the Secretariat Employees’ Union amounted to violation of the service conduct rules.

Dharmani, who is in the eye of the storm following his remarks over employees, today said these leaders were trying to mislead other employees under the influence of some people who are operating from behind the scenes.

“The remarks by the leaders of the employees’ union amounted to insult to democracy as they used derogatory language against the Chief Minister, ministers and Chief Secretary. They have crossed all limits, which cannot be justified under any circumstances,” he said.

Dharmani also accused the secretariat employees of being puppets in the hands of others. “An employee leader is making derogatory remarks against the Chief Secretary and stating that he is more popular than the CM and that I am not fit to be made a minister. The people have elected us so they have no business in making these kind of comments,” he stated.

“Himachal has a budget of Rs 58,000 crore, of which 45 per cent (Rs 27,000 crore) is spent on salaries and pensions of employees annually. A sum of mere Rs 25 crore is spent on salaries of ministers and MLAs. We all are willing to contribute to improve the financial health of the state, but the employees, too, must cooperate,” he said.

He said the doors of the government were always open for a dialogue but these employees never gave any demand charter and straight away resorted to this kind of irresponsible behaviour.

“The Congress regime has always been pro-employee as they are the backbone of the state. We inherited a loan of Rs 85,000 crore and Rs 10,000 crore liabilities due to the employees,” he said.

Dharmani said the moment Himachal Pradesh implemented OPS, the Centre imposed a limit on raising loan. “It was is a very difficult situation for which all of us have to work together. The revenue deficit grant (RDG) has tapered and next year it will be reduced to a mere Rs 3,250 crore against almost Rs 10,000 crore four years back which has compounded our problems,” he added.

Dharmani said the Himachal government had urged the Centre to return Rs 9,200 crore lying with the Centre under the New Pension Scheme (NPS).