KEYLONG: Himachal Pradesh Congress President and Mandi MP Pratibha Singh accused the Jai Ram Thakur government of neglecting tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh during the present tenure. She, however, assured people of Lahaul-Spiti that she would take up the matter of restoring their rights under Forest Rights Act with the Centre. .
Wrapping up three days long tour of the Tribal belt of Pangi in Chamba, Udaipur, Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti Pratibha Singh said the provision was made for special schemes to protect the rights of the people in the tribal and forests areas, where forest dwellers and tribals live.
But the present Jai Ram Thakur’s BJP government neglected the tribals, she charged.
Pratibha Singh said local BJP MLA Ram Lal Markande has not lived up to the expectations of the people in this area. “He has turned a blind eye to the problems people of tribal belt”, she charged.
Pratibha Singh said people told her there are no teachers in schools, there are no doctors in hospitals, people are facing problems of drinking water, irrigation, which is a matter of great concern.
Expressing her concern over the increasing debt on the state, Pratibha Singh said BJP's claims that its double engine government is working in the state stands exposed before the public.
She said BJP government in the state is now a guest for a few days. “BJP is trying to intimidate people to allay their annoyance”, she charged.
Addressing the party workers and people in Jispa, Kolong, Jemur during her last third day visit to district Lahaul-Spiti today, she said that the entire state is facing drought today.
“But the government is not worried about it. Due to less snowfall in Lahaul-Spiti and drought, the farmers have been hit hard”, she said.
Pratibha Singh said that now that the election season has started in the state, the Chief Minister is making big announcements to woo people.
“The government does not have money. It is going to be more than Rs 70 thousand crores”, she said.
Pratibha Singh called upon the party workers, women's circles to strengthen the hands of the Congress.
As soon as the Congress comes to power, they will be freed from the anti-people policies and decisions of the BJP, she claimed.
Before coming to power, BJP government at the Centre had shown big dreams to the people, she said.
