SHIMLA: The BJP has launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government, accusing it of jeopardizing key development projects, failing to maintain law and order, and fostering an atmosphere of chaos.
The BJP led by leader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur and President Rajiv Bindal today submitted the memorandum to the State Governor here at Raj Bhawan.
Delays in Railway Projects
The party claims that the state government has failed to fulfill its financial obligations towards critical railway projects. Himachal’s share in the Bhanupali-Barmana railway line has swelled to ₹1,442 crore.
But the government has neither released these funds nor acquired the necessary land beyond Bilaspur.
Similarly, the state owes ₹180 crore for the Chandigarh-Baddi railway line. In total, the state’s share for both projects amounts to ₹1,622 crore, risking delays in these vital infrastructure works.
Stalled Central University Construction
BJP leaders further allege that the state government has not deposited ₹30 crore for the construction of the Central University in Dharamshala, delaying the project’s progress.
Unused Disaster Relief Funds
Despite receiving ₹1,782 crore under SDRF and NDRF after last year’s natural calamities, the state government reportedly failed to utilize ₹140 crore of this aid by the March 31, 2024 deadline.
Mismanagement in Housing and Road Projects
The BJP also criticized the alleged political bias in the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Out of 1.11 lakh houses sanctioned by the Centre, the state government reportedly removed eligible beneficiaries from the list, depriving them of housing assistance.
Moreover, under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, the Centre approved ₹2,643 crore for upgrading 274 rural roads, but the state’s public works department has failed to begin the work on time.
Governance or Chaos?
The BJP claims that law and order in Himachal have spiraled out of control under the Congress government.
A series of violent incidents, including murders and shootings, have allegedly exposed police inaction and political interference.
The party cites the shocking incident in Bilaspur, where a firing near the court complex injured one person, allegedly involving a former Congress MLA and his son.
Rising Crime and Women’s Safety
According to government data, Himachal has recorded 145 murders, 126 attempts to murder, 512 rapes, and 980 cases of theft and dacoity under the current regime.
Incidents of violence against women have surged, with horrifying cases in Una, Mandi, Hamirpur, Chail, and Chopal tarnishing the state’s reputation.
Drug Mafia on the Prowl
The BJP has also flagged the alarming rise in drug trafficking, claiming that narcotics like chitta have penetrated tribal areas under the current regime.
With 2,431 drug-related cases reported during this tenure, the BJP accused the government of lacking a concrete policy to curb the menace, which continues to ruin the lives of the state’s youth.
Calling the Congress government "anarchic and incompetent," the BJP slammed it for its failure to deliver on governance, accusing it of mismanaging funds, stalling development, and allowing criminal and drug mafias to thrive unchecked.
