SHIMLA: Former Deputy Mayor of Shimla and CPM leader, Tikender Singh Panwar, has demanded a "Commission of Inquiry" (CoI) to investigate the recent ravaging floods in Himachal Pradesh and the losses resulting from what he termed as “flawed development policies”.
In a letter sent to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Panwar emphasized the urgent need for systemic change and people-centric planning processes to ensure a brighter and more resilient future for the state.
Praising the government's efforts in mitigating the challenges posed by the floods, Panwar highlighted the necessity of addressing not just immediate demands but also the underlying processes that have led to the current situation.
He stressed that the CoI, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge preferably from Himachal Pradesh, should delve into the systemic failures in developmental trajectory, including aspects such as hydropower, tourism, and highway construction.
Speaking about the historical development models, Panwar differentiated between the era of Dr Y S Parmar's vision in the 70s and the post-90s liberalization period, which he argued has brought nightmares to the state in economic, ecological, environmental, and geographical terms.
He called for a major disruption in planning models and the adoption of new, sustainable approaches aligned with the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Panwar emphasized that the CoI would serve as a platform for massive engagement, involving the largest stakeholder - the people of Himachal Pradesh.
Through collective participation during the inquiry, the people would have a chance to shape their collective futures and contribute to framing new models of development.
Whether the government ultimately implements these findings or not would be a separate matter, but Panwar stressed the importance of meaningful dialogue with the citizens.
The CPM leader's call for a "Commission of Inquiry" has sparked discussions about the future of development in the state.
With Himachal Pradesh caught in a quagmire, Panwar's proposition aims to pave the way for a new beginning, focusing on sustainability, resilience, and the well-being of the people.
