The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Legislature Party launched a strong protest on Tuesday, targeting the Congress-led state government's Job Trainee Policy. The demonstration took place within the Himachal Pradesh Assembly complex in Tapovan, near Dharamshala.
Opposition Leaders Lead Charge Against Policy
Leading the charge was former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur. He was joined by fellow BJP MLAs who raised slogans condemning the policy. The central accusation was that the policy is fundamentally "anti-youth" and must be withdrawn immediately.
Thakur launched a sharp critique of the Congress government's record on employment. He reminded the public that the party had promised five lakh jobs during elections and had even announced one lakh permanent posts in its very first cabinet meeting. "They have now vanished from the scene," Thakur asserted, claiming a complete failure to deliver on these assurances.
Allegations of Corruption and Favoritism
The protest was not just about unmet promises. Thakur leveled serious allegations of corruption and nepotism. He claimed that instead of creating regular government jobs, the administration had devised various schemes that benefit its "close associates." He alleged that employment had been snatched away from over 10,000 youths who were already working under different arrangements.
"Corruption under the present government is unprecedented," Thakur stated. He made a bold claim that close aides of the Chief Minister and their families have opened outsourcing agencies. These agencies, he alleged, are used to conduct recruitments under different 'Mitra Yojanas.'
According to the LoP, these agencies are collecting lakhs of rupees from job seekers even before official notifications are published. He further alleged that some individuals associated with these agencies travel in the Chief Minister's helicopter to project influence and then demand money from aspirants. Thakur added that the credibility and capacity of such agencies have been questioned even by the courts.
Failure to Activate Staff Selection Commission
Another major point of criticism was the government's handling of the State Staff Selection Commission. Thakur pointed out that even three years after its dissolution, the government has failed to make the commission operational again. He said this delay clearly shows the administration's lack of intent to provide transparent and regular employment to the youth of Himachal Pradesh.
The protest highlights the growing political tension in the state over the critical issue of unemployment. The BJP's aggressive stance aims to corner the Congress government on a key electoral promise, setting the stage for continued confrontation in the assembly.
