Previous BJP regime landed state in financial mess: CM

Launching a scathing attack on the BJP, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today said the previous BJP regime was responsible for the state’s wrecked economy as it announced freebies and opened more than 600 schools and health institutions without any budgetary provision.

The Chief Minister was addressing a public meeting at Daulatpur Chowk in Una district today. Sukhu inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of development projects worth Rs 75.1 crore in Gagret.

He accused the previous BJP regime of distributing and selling public assets worth Rs 5,000 crore, resulting in financial distress. “Big hotels and factories were given electricity subsidies worth Rs 2,200 crore and water subsidies worth Rs 800 crore for electoral gains. That left the state in serious financial distress,” he remarked.

“Despite boasting of a double engine ‘sarkar’, Himachal was neither given any special financial assistance nor any major projects. The BJP regime raised huge loans, pushing the state into a grave financial crisis,” he said. He said that to make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant and to improve the economy, the state government has had to take some harsh measures with the co-operation of the people of the state.

Criticising the previous government’s education policies, Sukhu said that Himachal Pradesh, once ranked among the top states in quality education, has dropped down to the 21st position due to flawed policies of the previous BJP government. “Consequently, students have shown a declining interest in enrolling in government schools. Many schools now witness a lower student-to-teacher ratio, thus resulting in the decision to merge such schools to ensure quality education and a better future for students,” he said.

“The survey work for the Hoshiarpur-Nadaun four-lane road project has been completed and the construction work will commence shortly,” he said. He further assured that the Shivbari fair will be granted district-level status. He announced additional funds for the remaining work on the Daulatpur-Bhadrakali road, for which Rs 15 crore has already been spent. He admitted though there were some concerns regarding the setting up of a Bulk Drug Park in Haroli, the construction would begin soon.

Local MLA Rakesh Kalia raised several development-related demands, including additional funding for the Gagret hospital building. He requested the expediting of the land acquisition process for 33 KV substations in Loharli and Mubarakpur.

MLA Sudarshan Babloo, Chairman of the SC Commission Kuldeep Kumar, Advocate General Anup Kumar Rattan, district Congress president Ranjeet Rana, block Congress president Surender Kanwar and senior officers of the district were present.