Himachal govt employees accuse Sukhu ministers of splurging on luxury while telling others to adopt austerity

The Himachal Pradesh Secretariat Employees Services Federation has launched an attack on minister Rajesh Dharmani and other members of the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu cabinet, accusing them of indulging in personal luxuries while denying funds to employees under the guise of austerity.

The conflict is centred around demands for dearness allowance and arrears. Federation president Sanjeev Sharma is at the forefront of the verbal clash, making it clear that the employees would not be intimidated by the minister’s tactics. “Dharmani may be the MLA of Ghumarwin, but I am the MLA of the Secretariat,” Sharma declared, emphasising his longstanding leadership role within the union.

Sharma’s statements underscored the growing frustration among employees, particularly as he hinted that Chief Minister Sukhu might be regretting Dharmani’s appointment.

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Sharma did not stop at verbal warnings. He issued a stark challenge to Dharmani, suggesting that the minister would face fierce opposition from employees if he dared to contest the 2027 Assembly elections as an independent candidate in any constituency other than his home district Bilaspur.

“If you have the guts, then get more votes than the employees,” Sharma challenged, signalling a potential showdown in future elections.

At the heart of the employees’ grievances is the allegation that while the government claims to be struggling financially, ministers and top bureaucrats were enjoying a lavish lifestyle. Sharma criticised a minister who, despite owning a house in Bharari, had acquired both a government bungalow and an MLA flat.

The accusations have fuelled widespread anger among government employees, who see this as a stark example of the government’s hypocrisy. While funds for essential employee benefits are allegedly being withheld in the name of austerity, ministers are perceived as splurging on their own comforts.

Responding to these allegations, Technical Education and TCP Minister Rajesh Dharmani dismissed the claims, arguing that the employee leaders were merely pawns in a larger conspiracy.