S Gopal Puri
Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government has pushed back strongly against the Opposition’s allegations that the recent transfer of 40 doctors from Lal Bahadur Shastri Medical College, Nerchowk (Mandi), was an act of “political revenge” against former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur’s home district.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu clarified that the transfers were purely administrative and part of an ongoing reform to separate and streamline cadres between the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) and Directorate of Health Services (DHS).
“The transfer of doctors from Nerchowk Medical College is part of the cadre restructuring process. The Opposition is protesting without understanding the system. These are routine administrative steps aimed at strengthening healthcare,” Sukhu said.
Govt says cadre separation needed to fix long-standing flaws
The state government has approved the creation of a common cadre for all government medical colleges and super-specialty institutes, ending the current college-specific faculty system.
Officials say this will remove administrative delays and faculty shortages, ensure equal service conditions, allow fair transfers and promotions and improve medical education quality across districts.
A government spokesperson said the new structure will create “a transparent, merit-based system” and allow uniform training and recruitment practices.
Opposition cries vendetta, points to pattern in Mandi
The reforms, however, have quickly turned into a political flashpoint. The BJP alleged that the transfer of doctors was part of a larger strategy to weaken Mandi, accusing Sukhu of punishing the district because it was the stronghold of Jai Ram Thakur.
BJP chief spokesperson Rakesh Jamwal alleged that the government’s actions, including the dismantling of Sardar Patel University and shifting the proposed Atal Medical University out of Nerchowk, show a pattern of political vendetta.
“Transferring 41 doctors in one go is not administration but revenge. Sukhu is targeting Mandi just to hurt Jai Ram Thakur politically,” Jamwal said.
The Opposition claims that shifting the Atal Medical University to Sarkaghat, the constituency of CM Sukhu’s close aide and defeated Congress candidate Pawan Thakur, has fuelled public anger.
CM hits back, says reforms are statewide, not district-specific
CM Sukhu dismissed the allegations as “baseless and politically motivated.” “We are improving the healthcare system for the entire state. Linking administrative reforms to vendetta is irresponsible,” he said.
Sukhu argued that modernising recruitment, improving faculty availability, and adopting a unified cadre will benefit all medical colleges, including Nerchowk.
While the government insists the transfers are routine, the issue has triggered strong emotions in Mandi. Locals and BJP leaders say the latest doctor transfers have deepened the belief that the Congress government is “systematically eroding Mandi’s institutions.”
As both sides dig in, the debate over administrative reform versus political vendetta has sharpened. For now, the Sukhu government stands firm that the doctor transfers are part of broader structural improvements, while the BJP vows to take the issue “to every village in Mandi.”
