Stage protest, question age cap and contractual terms in new recruitment
Sourabh Sood
Mandi: The event to mark three years of the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Himachal Pradesh government started around noon in Mandi on Thursday (December 11, 2025), but the “Jan Sankalp Rally” at Paddal Maidan also witnessed a flash of discontent as a group of unemployed nurses arrived with placards demanding fair recruitment and long-term employment.
The state government deployed around 1,100 HRTC buses to ferry supporters from all districts to the rally venue, where seating for nearly 25,000 people had been arranged. Crowds began pouring in as early as 6 am, with organisers distributing breakfast packets of pulav, curd, butter and bottled water.
Though billed as a major show of strength, no senior leader from the Congress high command was scheduled to attend the event. Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh remained absent owing to an overseas tour. Former minister Kaul Singh addressed the gathering initially as ministers and MLAs took their seats, while supporters awaited the arrival of CM Sukhu, who landed at Kangnidhar helipad to a warm reception by Ayush Minister Yadvinder Singh Goma and other party leaders.
Nurses question age cap, contractual terms in new recruitment
The mood briefly shifted when a group of protesting nurses entered the venue carrying placards. They raised concerns over the government’s recent nursing recruitment notification, which sets the upper age limit at 32 years, restricts hiring to five-year contractual positions and offers a monthly salary of Rs 25,000.
Terming the conditions “unfair and restrictive,” the nurses urged the government to revise the criteria to ensure broader opportunities for qualified candidates.
CM highlights welfare schemes, announces Rs 15-crore disbursal to registered workers
Addressing the audience, CM Sukhu showcased the government’s welfare-oriented initiatives. Under the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, he is slated to distribute Rs 15 crore to 4,000 registered labourers. Officials said benefits amounting to over Rs 63 crore have been extended since the present government took charge.
The event will also see financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh each for 19 single, widowed and differently abled women. Highlighting reforms aimed at women’s welfare, Sukhu said the monthly pension for eligible women had been increased from Rs 1,100 to Rs 1,500, with 35,000 new beneficiaries added.
