DHARAMSHALA/SHIMLA: As Himachal Pradesh celebrated its 55th Statehood Day at Baijnath, Kangra district, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s announcements painted a picture of growth, but analysis reveals a widening gap between promises and on-ground realities.
While the Chief Minister unfurled the National Flag and delivered ambitious plans, several pressing issues continue to fester, leaving a section of the population disillusioned.
Eviction of Farmers: A Growing Crisis
Amidst the celebratory announcements, the resentment among farmers across Himachal is spreading like wildfire as farmersface a worts crisisin view of land resources, crop failures and unemployment that has made agriculture unviable.
Generations of farmers living near forest areas, especially in non-tribal districts, have been left in the lurch due to the lack of a robust land allotment policy.
Unlike their counterparts in tribal areas who benefit from the Forest Rights Act, 2006, farmers in other districts, including those dependent on shrinking ‘Nau Tore’ lands, remain excluded.
These farmers, often involved in apple farming, traditional agriculture, or sheep and goat rearing, face legal battles and eviction due to the absence of land rights despite their ancestral claims.
The situation has been further exacerbated by the shrinking landholdings caused by divisions within families over generations.
While the central government has introduced clauses in the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, to favor corporate interests, there has been no relief for small farmers in Himachal.
This lack of policy intervention has created deep resentment, with many accusing the Sukhu government of neglecting the landless and marginal farmers who are the backbone of the state’s rural economy.
In stark contrast, states in the Northeast are rehabilitating farmers practicing traditional jhum cultivation, highlighting the glaring neglect of Himachal's farming community.
Farmers in Himachal are left to fend for themselves, raising questions about the government’s priorities in balancing rural livelihoods with developmental ambitions.
Economic Challenges Overshadow Promises
While the Sukhu government emphasized employment generation and resource mobilization, the financial health of the state continues to remain precarious.
The Chief Minister admitted that loans taken by the government have been primarily used to repay debts incurred during the BJP regime, with a staggering ₹30,080 crore borrowed in two years.
Despite reforms generating an additional ₹2,200 crore, the state’s revenue deficit grant from the Centre has been declining sharply, dropping from ₹10,249 crore in 2021-22 to an expected ₹3,257 crore in the next fiscal year.
Although the Chief Minister boasted of creating over 42,000 jobs in two years, much of this employment appears concentrated in government sectors.
Farmers, especially those facing eviction and land scarcity, see little benefit from these measures, highlighting the disconnect between policy announcements and grassroots realities.
Development Promises Amid Farmer Discontent
The Sukhu regime announced a slew of projects aimed at boosting tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure.. Major highlights include the development of Tattapani’s hot water springs, Kheer Ganga Ghat, and a ₹1,600 crore world-class ropeway in Shimla.
However, critics argue that these announcements are more cosmetic than substantive, with minimal focus on addressing the agrarian distress that continues to plague rural Himachal.
Promises like upgrading Chadiyar Sub-Tehsil to a Tehsil, opening Public Works Department sub-divisions, and establishing Rajiv Gandhi Day-Boarding Schools may seem progressive but fail to address the root issues facing farmers and landless laborers.
While the government has launched schemes to provide a minimum support price (MSP) for wheat, maize, and milk, it has yet to tackle the deeper issues of land redistribution and rehabilitation for evicted farmers.
The Road Ahead
The Sukhu government finds itself at a crossroads, balancing ambitious projects with the simmering discontent among farmers and marginalized communities.
As the resentment among farmers grows over eviction and exclusion from land rights policies, the government must act swiftly to address these grievances. Without a comprehensive land allotment and rehabilitation policy, the promises of a thriving rural economy may remain hollow.
On Statehood Day, while the government celebrated its achievements, the voices of farmers and rural communities echoed louder, reminding the regime that true progress lies in inclusive development that uplifts even the most marginalized.
