Dharamshala: Former Industries Minister and BJP MLA from Jaswan Pragpur, Bikram Thakur, has accused the Himachal Pradesh government of creating an environment that demoralizes administrative officers, thereby hindering their ability to work independently and impartially.
Thakur highlighted a series of incidents, starting with the case of Baddi SP Ilma Afroz and culminating in the recent attack on Mandi’s SDM, as evidence of a growing trend of threats and assaults against officials. He criticized the government’s passive stance, stating, “The government has been a mute spectator, and there has been no change in its behavior.”
The BJP leader also referenced Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s recent remarks about the state’s administrative cadre. Sukhu had stated that Himachal Pradesh, with a population of approximately 70 lakh, does not require 153 IAS officers and has decided against inducting new IAS and IPS officers into the state cadre.  Thakur interpreted this as the government sidelining its administrative machinery, asserting that these officers are the backbone of governance and essential for maintaining order, especially in combating issues like drug and mining-related disorders.
He emphasized that SDMs and other administrative officers posted in border and sensitive areas are working under extreme risk to curb illegal mining, crime, and mafia activities. Officials in regions such as Baddi, Nalagarh, and Amb are reportedly facing constant threats, making it difficult for them to perform their duties impartially. Thakur noted that despite repeated requests for personal security by officers like Baddi SDM Vivek Mahajan, the state government has ignored their appeals.
Thakur justified the concerns raised by officials, emphasizing that if administrative officers themselves do not feel safe, their ability to ensure public safety will also be compromised. He warned the state government that if incidents like the one in Mandi are taken lightly, it will have severe repercussions on the entire administrative system.
Demanding immediate security for officials posted in high-risk areas, Thakur urged the Chief Minister to ensure a secure working environment so that law and order can be enforced without fear or pressure. He also declared that the BJP will not remain silent on this issue. If the government fails to provide security to officers, the party will not only raise the matter in the assembly but will also take to the streets in protest.
This criticism comes amid other allegations against the Sukhu-led government. Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur has accused the Chief Minister of favoring retired bureaucrats and close associates, granting them extensions while rejecting the induction of new IAS and IPS officers into the state administration. 
The BJP’s allegations highlight a growing concern over the state’s administrative decisions and their potential impact on governance and public safety.
