• Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

At the top in Unemployment, Corruption, Drug abuse, Crime and Inflation. Double engine government failed completely in giving relief to the people

Himachal Pradesh, which had been progressing on the path of development under Congress’ rule, has lagged behind under BJP’s rule - the government which neither has a roadmap for development, nor a vision for the future. There was a corrupt and misguided government in the state for five years. Unemployment, corruption, inflation, drug abuse and crime reached its peak due to misguided policies and intentions. The double engine government failed completely to live up to the expectations of the people. There prevails an atmosphere of anarchy all around.

Being highly opportunistic, the BJP leaders grabbed opportunities even during a disaster like Corona. There was a scam in the purchase of the health department. Rajiv Bindal had to lose the chair of the State President, due to which the real face, moves and character of the BJP government and organization were completely exposed. BJP leaders never do politics of service, their main goal is self-fulfilment. During Corona, BJP leaders, ministers, Chairmen misused government money and vehicles fiercely. Jai Ram Thakur government was a government of scams. Recruitment, tender and purchase scams became its hallmark.

No one can forget the police recruitment paper leak. This was the first government in the history of Himachal Pradesh, under which an exam paper was sold for lakhs of rupees. Exam paper bidding took place from Haryana to Delhi. Even the most ignorant ones topped the examination. Millions of rupees were swindled for, without any slightest of idea as to how the paper got leaked from the police. Who sold the paper is still shrouded in mystery. Buyers have been caught, but the sellers are out of reach. The future of lakhs of youth was at stake. The youth of the state can never forget the ugly joke that has been played on them.

Chief Minister Jairam has crossed all the limits of lies that could have been blurted out in this matter. He falsely declared the CBI probe into the paper leak, which has not become a reality till date. The government did not even issue any notification for the CBI probe, due to which the matter got brushed under the carpet. Had there been a CBI inquiry, then all the major ones involved in the paper leak scam (even those sitting in the highest echelons) would have been behind bars, which could have also booked big leaders and police officers for indulging in such scams. In view of this, the government blindfolded itself and gave a free hand to those who play with the future of the youth.

Congress raised this issue vigorously on every front which drew a lot of support from the youth. The youth want to know the truth behind the paper leak scam and also want it to be exposed. The Congress assures the youth of a high-level inquiry to be conducted in this matter and putting behind bars all those who have been implicated; if Congress government is formed in Himachal. A fair investigation will also be conducted into other recruitment scams done in the reign of Jairam government. Those involved in the tender scams and corruption in the purchase of departments will not be spared.

The BJP government could not formulate any policy for more than 12 lakh unemployed people in the state. The Chief Minister was busy in his own indulgences. The unemployed neither got employment, nor unemployment allowance. Making hollow promises to the youth, the government could not release any major recruitment in five years as Employment generation has not been a priority for the government. The double engine government was advertised vigorously in the state, but no concrete steps were taken to reduce unemployment by setting up new industries, promoting tourism and creating new opportunities for self-employment. The fear of being defenestrated is clearly visible in the Jairam government as decisions are hastily being taken every day by holding cabinet meetings. Had the government shown this intensity for five years, people of the state would not have faced so many difficulties.

The government did not take any concrete actions to abate drug abuse. This is the reason for inebriation spreading all over Himachal via Punjab-Haryana. Catching the younger generation in its tight grip, drug abuse has ruined the youth. Troubled by unemployment, the younger generation is being easily predated upon by this serpentine curse. The government has turned its deaf ears and drug dealers are flourishing fearlessly. The youth need to break free from the clutches of drugs in time, otherwise breeds will be ruined, because the youth is the future of the country and the 21st century belongs to them.

Unemployment has had its push effect on Youth towards crime. Anyway, crime has increased in the state under the BJP rule. Anti-social elements are roaming freely. Women are feeling insecure. Officials and businessmen are dreaded. Murdering and butchering someone in broad daylight has become a trend. Liquor and mining mafia is protected by criminal elements. The government is also fully involved in this, that is the reason for criminals, liquor and mining mafia to be so high-spirited. One of the major reasons for them to be flourishing is because there has been an administratively unsuccessful government in the state. Jairam has been just a toy to be remote-controlled by the ‘Dilli Darbar’. Decisions taken in the morning were reversed the same evening and the ones taken in the night were reversed the very next morning!

The government could not do anything to provide relief to the poor people from inflation which has been ever-rising and has spoiled the budget of every household. The prices of petroleum products, LPG cylinders, mustard oil-refined oil, pulses and other food items are unbridled. Under the UPA government, a gas cylinder that was available for Rs. 450 is now available for Rs. 1100. The price of petrol and diesel, which used to be Rs. 55-65, has reached Rs. 90-95. Mustard oil which remained below Rs.100 a litre hit double century of the price. All credit goes to the handing over of these things to Adani-Ambani. Profit undertakings, departments are being handed over to private friends, while the loss-making undertakings are being carried by the government itself. The country is ‘On Sale’. Farmers and common masses are like living-dead. Soon enough, the public will oust BJP from power.

(The author is the President of Himachal Pradesh Congress Election Campaign Committee and MLA from Nadaun Assembly Constituency).