Congress to restore old pension scheme in Himachal: Mukesh Agnihotri

REDICULING the chief minister Jai Ram Thakur over r his day dreaming of retaining the fort in Himachal, leader of opposition and senior congress leader Mukesh Agnihotri today said that the people of the state would show the door to ruling BJP in coming assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh.

Terming the large-scale public announcements of chief minister merely a political gimmick to influence the electorates, he said that the government that could not carry out balanced and speedy development in the state, could not even construct a “toilet” in remaining four months of its rule,

Addressing a press conference along with former minister and sitting congress MLA Dr. DR Shandi, Agnihotri said that the public announcements concerning developmental projects including opening of offices without making budgetary provisions appeared to be merely a bundle of lie solely aimed at wooing the voters in view of coming assembly elections. He said that had the BJP government done the works of common men, the situation would have been completely different. Chief minister appeared to be passing through tremendous pressure of “defeat”, hence, making false public announcements to mislead the people.

Turning to working style of certain top bureaucrats and officers acting as agents of BJP, Agnihotri said that they should realise their duties and accountability towards public and work withing limits.

“Congress is fully aware about the functioning of certain bureaucrats and officers working against the democratic norms and ethics”.

He said that BJP’s announcements to change the tickets of some of its MLAs and some ministers clearly indicative of that party was losing the electoral battle in the state. Turning the high court decision concerning delimitation of some wards in Shimla, he said that DC Shimla has fraudulently to extend favour to BJP wrongly carried out the delimitation to appease his political bosses. Similarly, some of bureaucrats are also raising unwarranted objections in the functioning of congress ruled Solan Municipal Corporation that was leading to non fulfilment of congress poll promises in Solan town.

Expressing concern over deteriorating financial health of the state, he said that debt of Rs. 85,000 crores on the tiny hill state were a matter of grave concern. On the top of it, repeated visits of Prime minister and central BJP leaders was putting unwarranted financial burden on state exchequer. Since the CM has realized the BJP’s ouster in assembly polls, he was hoping of smooth sailing with the help of PM and other BJP leaders. Agnihotri said that it was astonishing that the PM Narendra Modi did not utter a single word concerning bailing out of Himachal form current financial crisis, constructions of National Highways, according of tribal status to Hatti community, fruit-based processing units, construction of rail lines and even the dream projects of CM i.e., “Airport” in Mandi district.

“Jai Ram Thatku would be remembered to betraying the unemployed youths and playing with the emotions of youths in the history of Himachal,” he added.

Turning to police recruitment exam paper leak case, he said that it was virtually auctioned and now the police officers involved in the scam are probing the case. SIT has been constituted only to hush up the case. Surprisingly, the CBI despite public announcement has not come to investigate the case, till date. Government should order a probe by sitting judge of high court to unravel the truth and expose the culprits. Since it was only BJP that scrapped the old pension scheme, congress would restore the OPS if voted to power.

Accusing the BJP government of promoting and shielding, land, liquor, forest, mining and concrete mafias, he said that it was surprising that hoteliers have been allowed to purchase 150 bighas of land in Himachal. The alleged nexus of certain bureaucrats and BJP leadership would ruin the interests of Himachali people. The government has failed to auction liquor vends during its current regime that has led to financial loss of Rs, 3,000 crores to state exchequer.

Agnihotri said that common people were running from pillar to post to get the justice as police stations have turned dens of politics ever since BJP assumed power in the state. Growing number of rapes, murder burglaries, thefts and road accidents were enough evidence that law and order situation was deteriorating in the state.