Himachal ex-CM Jai Ram raises alarm over Sukhu govt’s ‘proposal for 20% cut’ in employee pension
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MANDI: Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, a BJP MLA who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Vidhan Sabha, on Wednesday (May 29, 2024) raised the alarm over an alleged proposal of the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government to reduce the pension of retiring employees from 50 per cent to 30 per cent of their last-drawn salary.
Addressing a press conference in Mandi, Jai Ram questioned the state government over its purported plan to slash the employee pensions by a significant margin. “The proposal, already in the hands of the Chief Secretary, is expected to receive approval after the forthcoming elections,” he said. He cautioned that such a move would inflict profound injustice upon employees, also highlighting the government’s failure to disburse dearness allowance (DA) and arrears.
Jai Ram also attacked the Sukhu government for allegedly trying to shut Mandi’s Sardar Patel University after the elections, substantiating his claim with insider information pointing to pre-prepared documentation awaiting execution in the initial cabinet meeting following the elections.
Taking an aim at Chief Minister Sukhu, Jai Ram rebuked him for disseminating purportedly false information regarding a purported Rs 5.5 million transaction. “CM Sukhu owes the public an explanation regarding the origin of this sum and whether any legal action has been taken. It has become habitual for him to level unsubstantiated accusations on a daily basis,” he asserted.
Additionally, Jai Ram posed questions to sitting MP Pratibha Singh and her son Vikramaditya Singh, the Congress contestant from Mandi, seeking to know why they were silent on the perceived neglect of Mandi under CM Sukhu’s administration. He questioned why they had not raised objections against the closure of numerous institutions and the stagnation of developmental initiatives in Mandi.
Jai Ram espoused optimism for the BJP’s electoral prospects, suggesting that with the impending formation of the Modi government at the Centre, BJP candidate from Mandi Kangana Ranaut could be instrumental in driving overall development within the Mandi parliamentary constituency. “The vision and promises outlined by Vikramaditya are as vacuous as the assurances tendered by the Sukhu government during the Assembly elections,” he concluded.
