Munish Sood
Mandi
Mounting a fresh attack on the Congress-led government in Himachal Pradesh, Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Friday accused Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of burdening the public with rising taxes and electricity charges while failing to deliver on key poll promises made ahead of the Assembly elections.
Addressing a press conference in Mandi, the former Chief Minister alleged that the state government had abandoned its guarantees and was instead increasing financial pressure on common people, students and businesses through new cess charges and revised electricity tariffs.
Targeting the government over power subsidies, Jairam Thakur said the Congress had promised 300 units of free electricity to consumers but instead discontinued the 125 units of free electricity that were provided during the previous BJP regime. He claimed that households which earlier received zero electricity bills are now being forced to pay at least ₹750 every month after the withdrawal of slab-based subsidies and revision of electricity charges.
The former Chief Minister also criticised the government for allegedly imposing additional financial burdens on businesses and consumers. He said new cess charges were being levied on hotels, private hospitals, petrol pumps, shopping malls and multiplexes, adding that the government had already introduced milk cess and environmental cess earlier.
He further alleged that students preparing for competitive examinations were also being adversely affected due to increased electricity tariffs. According to Jairam Thakur, the continuous imposition of taxes and cess reflected the deteriorating financial condition of the state government.
Raising questions over the extension of tenure for professors in medical colleges, he alleged that the government was trying to delay its financial liabilities. He also claimed that retired employees were not receiving timely payments of GPF and other retirement dues.
The BJP leader levelled serious allegations of code of conduct violations against the ruling Congress, claiming that welfare schemes and public announcements were being used to influence voters during elections. He alleged that before the Assembly elections, women and youth were asked to fill forms under various schemes, but most of those promises were never implemented.
Referring to the Lok Sabha elections and the ongoing political atmosphere around the Mandi Municipal Corporation polls, Jairam Thakur claimed that the government was repeatedly making announcements through Cabinet decisions and media briefings to gain electoral advantage. He alleged that despite promises made under the Samman Nidhi scheme, a majority of women in the state had not received any benefits.
The Leader of the Opposition further accused the government of drastically cutting allocations for social security and welfare schemes while failing to properly utilise central funds. He also expressed concern over the rising debt burden on the state.
“The people of Himachal Pradesh now understand the difference between the government’s promises and its actual performance. They will give a democratic response at the appropriate time,” he said.
Among those present during the press conference were Anil Sharma, Payal Vaidya, Nihalchand Sharma, Rakesh Walia, Manchali Thakur, Virendra Bhat and Chaman Kapoor.
