Unemployment, lack of amenities were key issues in Nalagarh

Solan, July 12

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Rising unemployment among the educated youth, including those with professional degrees, as well as the lack of civic amenities were the key issues of concern among the voters in the Nalagarh byelection a few days ago.

During an interaction, the voters had condemned the undue financial strain put on them due to the byelection, barely a year-and-a-half after the Vidhan Sabha polls in 2022.

At a polling booth in Nalagarh, Ram Singh, a septuagenarian, said: “In the past 14 months, common people have not got any work done and have been unduly burdened by this byelection, which will yield him no gains.”

Baru Ram (63) said that drug abuse and unemployment were the main problems in this industrial belt. “We are forced to breathe polluted air and drink polluted water. Locals get only menial jobs, while top positions are reserved for the youth from other states,” rued Baru Ram, terming it as a setback for the educated youth of the area.

Karnail Singh of Khera village, said: “This byelection was a huge burden on common people. No one bothers to care for the problems of common people.” He added that candidates lured the voters with liquor and money during elections, but did not address their problems later on.

Sita Ram, a local, said, “We belong to an underdeveloped area. We face problems such as poor roads and the lack of water supply. There is no veterinary doctor in the area as well. We also need health institutions and bridges here.”