Banikhet (Dalhousie): Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur has levelled serious allegations of corruption against the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government, claiming administrative failure and financial irregularities in a multi-crore state project that has come under scrutiny following the death of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Chief Engineer Vimal Negi.
Speaking at a press conference during the BJP’s membership campaign event held at a private hotel in Banikhet in Dalhousie late Thursday (April 10, 2025), Jai Ram alleged that a ₹125 crore state project was escalated to ₹250 crore without any formal financial approval. ‘
He alleged that over ₹100 crore in this project had already been identified as misappropriated, with luxury vehicles such as Fortuners and Innovas being gifted to influential leaders as “favours”.
“Never before has a project of this scale been implemented without formal clearance. Corruption of this magnitude clearly points toward a systemic rot,” said Thakur.
The Leader of the Opposition further connected the case of alleged corruption to the tragic death of Chief Engineer Vimal Negi, stating, “It is due to the deep-rooted corruption within the department that Vimal Negi lost his life. Since the Sukhu government took over, the Power Corporation has been plagued by scandals. Despite raising the issue both inside the Assembly and on the streets, the government has refused to order an independent probe.”
He accused the state government of deliberately avoiding a CBI investigation even after demands from Vimal Negi’s family, colleagues, and a large number of citizens across Himachal Pradesh.
Says state’s financial mess due to Sukhu govt’s mismanagement
Jai Ram Thakur also slammed the Chief Minister for misleading the public about the state’s financial condition.
“The Chief Minister keeps blaming the previous BJP government and claims the Centre isn’t helping. But the truth is that the current government has taken on nearly half the debt that was accumulated over the last 25 years—just within two years of its rule,” he remarked.
He pointed out that most of the ongoing development work in Himachal Pradesh is funded under Central government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, PMGSY, Ayushman Bharat, National Health Mission and Samagra Shiksha.
“Law and order in the state has collapsed. Incidents of contract killings and rampant extortion are being reported,” he said.
Contractors Being Extorted for Payments, Alleges Thakur
Responding to questions from the media, Jai Ram Thakur further alleged that even after issuing LOCs (Letter of Credit), payments to contractors are not being released unless they offer “convenience fees” to Congress leaders.
“Contractors who are key players in state development are suffering. Their machines are being seized by banks due to pending dues. Only select individuals get payments after political interference and kickbacks,” he said.
He accused the Sukhu-led administration of turning governance into a money-making scheme rather than serving the people.
Jai Ram Thakur was accompanied by Kangra-Chamba MP Dr Rajeev Bharadwaj, Dalhousie MLA DS Thakur, BJP district president Dheeraj Naryal, Banikhet BJP chief Vishal Tandon, along with several other senior BJP leaders and local representatives, including Sanjeev Pathania, Ajay Chauhan, Balwant Thakur, Vinod Mahajan, Advocate Nitin Mahajan, Seema Mahajan Chandel, Amrik, Saurabh Mehra and Aman Mahendru.
Subhash Mahajan
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