TNR News Network
Mandi
Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur launched a scathing attack on the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, accusing Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of running a “government of friends” that has abandoned the state’s unemployed youth and daughters.
₹12 Crore Collected from Jobless Youth in Patwari Recruitment
Thakur alleged that while Congress had promised one lakh government jobs annually before coming to power, the reality in the fourth year of its tenure is starkly different. Educated youth are struggling on the streets, while Sukhu showers favors on retired associates.
He cited the controversial promotion of a Tehsildar friend of the Chief Minister to HAS officer, despite the matter being sub judice in the High Court. “This is not only injustice to honest officers waiting for their turn but also an insult to the dignity of the judiciary,” Thakur said.
On the Patwari recruitment, Thakur expressed concern that the government advertised 530 posts but collected over ₹12 crore in exam fees from poor and middle-class families without conducting the written test. Instead, he alleged, retired employees are being reappointed through the back door. “This is a cruel joke on 1.87 lakh unemployed families preparing day and night for competitive exams,” he charged.
Retired Friends Rewarded, Treasury Burdened
Thakur accused the government of hypocrisy — claiming empty coffers while imposing taxes on the public, yet offering lucrative reappointments with salaries, offices, and allowances to retired favorites. “If the intention was only to reward friends, why loot the youth by charging exam fees? This is nothing short of a financial scam,” he said.
Shagun Scheme Neglected, Poor Families in Distress
Highlighting the plight of daughters and poor families, Thakur said the Congress government has strangled welfare schemes like Mukhyamantri Shagun Yojana. In Sirmaur district, he noted, ₹60 lakh meant for 193 beneficiaries remains blocked in the treasury, forcing families to take loans at high interest for weddings. “Our government had started schemes like Beti Hai Anmol and Shagun with emotional commitment, but the present regime has killed them citing budget shortage. This is not transformation, it is collapse,” he declared.
False Promise of ₹1500 to Women, Fee Burden Instead
Thakur further attacked the Congress for failing to deliver on its promise of ₹1500 monthly support to women. “Instead of empowering daughters, the government has reintroduced exam fees for them — a practice we had abolished. Now even unemployed daughters are being forced to pay application charges. This must stop,” he demanded.
BJP’s Warning
Thakur warned that if the government does not halt unconstitutional reappointments and complete pending recruitment processes transparently, the BJP will intensify its struggle “from streets to the Assembly” to secure the rights of Himachal’s youth and daughters.
