Shimla: In a blistering attack on the state government's handling of the financial situation, Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, along with a delegation of BJP MLAs, met the Himachal Pradesh Governor today to submit a memorandum expressing grave concerns over the state's deteriorating financial crisis.
"The state is on the brink of bankruptcy," Thakur said bluntly, highlighting the government's failure to pay salaries and pensions on time.
He pointed out that despite it being the second of September, employees haven't received their salaries, and pensioners are left in the lurch.
"This has never happened before," he added, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Thakur further criticized the mixed signals from Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
"One day, the Chief Minister admits the state's economic condition is dire, and the next, he claims everything is fine and that Himachal will be the prosperous by 2027. It's beyond comprehension," he remarked.
According to Thakur, the situation is so dire that even the Chief Minister himself mentioned that ministers and CPS would forgo their salaries and honorarium for two months, which he sees as an acknowledgment of the state's financial mess.
He slammed the government for its inability to pay employees, saying, "Himachal needs Rs 2,000 crore just for one month's salary and pensions, but the state has only Rs 750 crore in its treasury. The situation is critical."
Thakur also criticized the Vidhan Sabha Speaker, alleging bias and partiality in handling the assembly proceedings.
"We demanded a discussion on the financial crisis, but the Speaker didn't allow it. His behavior is unprecedented in the history of Himachal's Vidhan Sabha," Thakur claimed.
In light of these issues, Thakur and his delegation submitted a formal request to the Governor, demanding the removal of the Speaker and immediate action to address the state's financial woes.
The BJP leader expressed deep concern over the government's handling of finances, particularly the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and the exhaustion of the state's loan limit.
"The government is in a mess, and the people of Himachal are paying the price," he concluded.
The BJP's move has intensified the ongoing political battle in Himachal Pradesh, with the state's economic crisis now taking center stage.
