BJP Criticizes Himachal Congress Over Salary Delays, Accuses Mismanagement

BJP's National spokesperson, C R Kesavan, condemned the Congress-led Himachal government for salary delays, accusing it of financial mismanagement and reckless promises. The delay has led to anxiety among employees, prompting them to demand immediate payment. Himachal CM acknowledged financial issues but later claimed no crisis, sparking opposition criticism.

C R Kesavan, the National spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), condemned the Congress-led Himachal Government on Wednesday over the non-payment of state government employees' salaries. 'Utterly misled by their irrational, voodoo economics and tughlaq economics of Rahul Gandhi, the Congress government in Himachal has plunged the state into financial ruin and the brink of bankruptcy. Like an unreliable, leaky boat, the Congress government with its reckless false promises made during elections has plunged the state and its people's future into darkness,' said the national spokesperson in a statement.

Further critiquing the Congress, he questioned the silence of the Congress leadership, stating that the Gandhi family had abandoned the people of Himachal Pradesh. 'We have read in papers that they (Gandhi family) go to Shimla for a vacation, but now why have they abandoned the good people of Himachal Pradesh? Mr. Rahul Gandhi, who comments on everything under the sun, even in Timbuktu, why is he maintaining such a silence on the financial catastrophe caused by his own Congress government in Himachal Pradesh?' he added. The delay in salary disbursement has left state Secretariat employees anxious, prompting them to draft a letter to the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary of Finance, demanding immediate payment. The employees argue the delay is causing financial strain, preventing them from meeting their monthly obligations.

Earlier in the Himachal Assembly session, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu acknowledged financial struggles, announcing a two-month deferment of salaries for himself, ministers, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPS), and MLAs. However, he later claimed there was no financial crisis, contradicting his initial statement. Leader of the Opposition, Jairam Thakur, criticised the inconsistency in the government's statements. He noted that the opposition had sought a discussion in the House on the economic situation but claimed the government was not treating the issue with the seriousness it deserves. 'Rahul Gandhi's fake guarantees have been exposed in Himachal Pradesh. Other states should also learn from this,' Thakur stated.

(With inputs from agencies.)