Shimla: Launching a sharp attack during the Budget Session, Pangi–Bharmour MLA Dr. Janak Raj levelled serious allegations against the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government, accusing it of neglecting tribal areas, mismanaging funds, and failing to act on key audit recommendations.
Janak Raj said, "In my constituency, there is a legal provision that hydropower projects must deposit funds under LADA (Local Area Development Authority). However, for the past several years, the affected people have not been receiving this assistance.
This fund is meant to be spent exclusively on the affected people, but the government is now planning to divert 40 percent of this amount to its own schemes, which is completely illegal.
"I, along with the people of my constituency, will oppose this move—from the streets to the Assembly.”
Participating in the discussion on the Governor’s Address, the MLA said the speech reflects the government’s policy and accountability, but alleged that ground realities sharply contradict official claims of “need-based governance.”
Citing findings of a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, Dr. Janak Raj said the government has failed to act on critical recommendations, including boosting revenue, ensuring better returns on investments, completing projects within deadlines, maintaining fiscal discipline, and curbing unauthorized expenditures. He warned that ignoring these could severely impact health, education, and development in Himachal Pradesh.
“Projects ballooning, development skewed”
Flagging cost escalations, he said projects worth ₹300 crore have shot up to over ₹3,000 crore, citing examples from his own constituency. He alleged that development is being limited to select areas, violating the spirit of equitable growth.
He also questioned the government’s economic vision, recalling earlier promises to make Himachal one of the richest states. “Was the roadmap dependent entirely on central funds? What is Plan B if proposals to the Centre are rejected?” he asked.
Tribal areas ‘ignored and deprived’
The MLA painted a grim picture of Pangi and Bharmour, alleging severe neglect in basic services. He said hospitals lack facilities, doctors are overburdened, and even basic healthcare access remains a challenge.
“Ambulances take up to 18 hours for a single trip. In remote areas like Pangi, at least 4–5 ambulances are needed, but the government has failed to provide even that,” he said.
He added that 14 out of 19 health sub-centres in Bharmour and a majority in Pangi are lying vacant, while patients are forced to travel long distances on foot, often in harsh weather, only to return untreated.
Power surplus region, yet in darkness
Despite hosting major hydropower projects, the MLA said many villages in his constituency still struggle for electricity. “People are waiting for transformers, small businesses can’t function, and even mobile phones can’t be charged in the evenings,” he said.
Unpaid workers, stalled projects
Raising the issue of delayed payments, Dr. Janak Raj said outsourced employees in Chamba Medical College have not received salaries for months, while nursery workers in Pangi have been waiting for wages for nearly two years.
He also accused the government of failing to release funds for approved projects, leading to stalled works and contractors abandoning sites. “Either cancel tenders or ensure funding—public works cannot remain in limbo,” he said.
Administrative breakdown, vacancies galore
The MLA alleged a collapse in administrative machinery, pointing to large-scale vacancies in health and Public Works Department (PWD). He claimed repeated transfers of officials without postings reflect governance failure.
“Key posts remain vacant, roads are in shambles, and even basic supervision of works is missing,” he said, adding that in some cases, lower-level staff are handling responsibilities beyond their mandate.
Selective welfare, political bias alleged
He also accused the government of political discrimination, claiming benefits like schemes for farmers were not extended to his constituency. Referring to procurement of cow dung under a state scheme, he questioned why tribal farmers were excluded.
“Cosmetic cuts won’t fix crisis”
Taking a dig at recent austerity measures, including salary cuts for board and निगम heads, he termed them “cosmetic steps.”
“Trimming small खर्च won’t reduce the burden. The real issue is unfinished projects and poor financial planning,” he said.
Serious questions over SEDP spending
The MLA further alleged that despite ₹1,200 crore spent under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP)/SEDP, his district received “not even a single rupee,” demanding accountability on fund allocation.
Dr. Janak Raj said the government is focusing more on “presentation than performance,” warning that continued neglect of remote tribal regions like Pangi and Bharmour could deepen regional imbalance and public distress.
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