As the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government marked its two-year tenure in Himachal Pradesh with celebrations in Bilaspur, the BJP launched a scathing attack, calling the Congress-led administration’s term a “failure-filled chapter” in the state’s history.
The opposition released a detailed report titled “24 Months, 24 Failures”, highlighting what it called the government’s inefficiency, corruption, and policy missteps.
The BJP accused the Sukhu government of putting personal gains above public welfare and claimed the state was on the verge of economic collapse due to poor fiscal management. “The government has betrayed the trust of the people,” BJP leaders said, urging the public to hold the administration accountable.
BJP’s lists 24 ‘failures’
- Closure of public institutions: Nearly 1,500 institutions, including schools and healthcare centres, established by the BJP were shut down.
- Diesel VAT hike: A Rs 7 per litre VAT on diesel added Rs 2,500 crore to the public’s financial burden.
- Cement price surge: Prices per cement bag increased by over Rs 150, affecting construction costs.
- Power tariff increase: Residential electricity rates rose by Rs 0.32 per unit, and industrial tariffs surged by over 20%, leading to industrial decline.
- Free electricity scheme cancelled: The Sukhu government scrapped the BJP’s 125-unit free electricity provision.
- Milk and environmental cess: Introduced cess on milk and environmental surcharges, inflating household and industrial costs.
- Delay in MLA Development Funds: Rs 50 lakh per constituency for development was not released for the first quarter of 2023.
- Employee layoffs: Over 10,000 outsourced workers, including healthcare staff hired during the pandemic, were terminated.
- Universal carton policy for apples: Poor planning hurt apple growers, with mandi mismanagement exacerbating losses.
- Shutdown of welfare schemes: Programmes like free school uniforms and the Himcare health scheme were reduced or rendered ineffective.
- Temple fee introduced: Initiated fees for visiting temples, starting with Chintpurni, sparking public discontent.
- Revenue department fee hike: Registration and stamp duty fees increased over tenfold.
- Termination of natural farming scheme: Notified the closure of the BJP-launched scheme in November 2023.
- Derailed development projects: Ongoing projects from the BJP tenure were halted, and contractor payments were delayed.
- Sahara Pension Scheme halted: Financial aid to critically ill patients was unofficially discontinued.
- Municipal body expansion: Unnecessary creation of new urban bodies without public demand sparked widespread protests.
- Mandi university under threat: Plans to shut down Sardar Patel University in Mandi drew criticism.
- High bus luggage tariff: Increased luggage charges in state transport buses, burdening passengers.
- Unmet poll promises: The government failed to buy milk at Rs 100 per litre, despite introducing a milk cess on liquor.
- Gratuity and pension delays: Retired employees faced non-payment of dues worth Rs 20,000 crore.
- Rising ration costs: Essential items in fair price shops saw a 12% price increase, adding to inflationary woes.
- Industrial decline: Steep power tariffs and poor policy decisions led to industries relocating from the state.
- Zero-bill water supply halted: The BJP’s zero-bill water initiative was replaced with a Rs 100 monthly charge.
- Law and order deterioration: Alleged protection to illegal mining, drug, liquor, land and forest mafias resulted in a “mafia raj.”
