Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu firmly stated in the state legislative assembly on Tuesday that an upcoming government event in Mandi is not a celebratory function but a public resolve gathering. This clarification came amid sharp criticism from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused the ruling Congress of insensitivity for planning an event in a district severely hit by recent monsoon disasters.
Assembly Debate Over Mandi Rally and Disaster Funds
The winter session of the Himachal assembly witnessed a heated exchange on its fifth day. Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur led the charge, condemning the state government's plan to hold an event marking three years of the Congress administration in Mandi. Thakur labeled the move as "insensitive", arguing that Mandi was among the worst-affected areas during the monsoon calamities and its residents needed aid, not festivities.
In his response, Chief Minister Sukhu delineated the purpose and funding of the event. He assured the House that no money from the state's disaster relief funds would be utilized for the rally. "This event is not a celebration but a 'jan sankalp' rally aimed at highlighting governance reforms and spreading the vision of the government," Sukhu explained, adding that state funds would be used for its organization.
Political Sparring Over Disaster Relief and Central Aid
The debate quickly expanded beyond the rally to encompass broader issues of disaster management and financial assistance. Jai Ram Thakur alleged unfair distribution of financial aid to those affected by the floods and demanded a separate budgetary provision for disaster relief.
Countering these allegations, CM Sukhu asserted that assistance was reaching all affected people without discrimination. He then turned the spotlight on the central government, revealing a significant pending aid. "The disaster relief fund of Rs 1,500 crore announced by the Prime Minister is still to reach Himachal Pradesh," Sukhu stated. He made a striking proposal, urging all Congress and BJP MLAs to jointly meet the Prime Minister to inquire about the promised Rs 1,500 crore for the state.
BJP's Protest Against Job Trainee Policy
Parallel to the debate on the rally, BJP legislators, under Thakur's leadership, staged a protest against the state government's job trainee policy. They branded the policy, which offers temporary employment for two years, as anti-youth and demanded its withdrawal. Thakur reminded the government of its pre-election promise of providing five lakh jobs and its initial cabinet decision to create one lakh positions, accusing it of failing to deliver on employment guarantees.
The discussion saw contributions from other MLAs, including Congress's Chandershekhar and BJP's Randheer Sharma, indicating the issue's significance in the state's current political discourse. The assembly session thus underscored the ongoing tussle between the ruling party and the opposition over governance, disaster response, and employment, setting the stage for continued political contention in Himachal Pradesh.
