Shimla: Fighting with his back against the wall within the party, BJP MP from Kangra, Rajhan Sushant lashed out at the state government for not doing enough to fight corruption and at the central government for discriminating against the hills state.
Addressing a seminar under the Himachal Adhikar Manch banner, the rebel parliamentarian said that it was a non political forum to fight for the states rights and rampant corruption.
At the same time he threatened to reveal the names of people behind setting up of many private universities in the state.
Taking his own government to task about plans to close down some PSU’s, he said that he would not permit it and would not hesitate to agitate with employees who would be effected by such action
Mentioning that despite being the second most senior leader in BJP, other than former chief minister Shanta Kumar, in stature, the party and the government was ignoring and humiliating him.
“Ministers in chief minister Dhumal’s cabinet to please their bosses are targeting me,†he said.
He added that unemployment was on the rise and the government had failed to address the issue as the numbers registered with unemployment exchanges had crossed 9 lakhs.
Mounting state debt liabilities had crossed Rs 29,000 crore, he said adding that the central government had stopped permitting the state to raise more loans, which would not only effect the developmental needs of the people but would make paying even the salary bill of employees an uphill task.
As the central government had been unable to meet its obligations about getting the state its due 7.19% share in the Bhakra Beas projects nor was there any royalty being paid to the host state from the hydropower project, Himachal was being discriminated against, said Sushant.
The lawmaker said that he would continue to raise these issues including Shanan Project, which was within the state but continued to be owned by Punjab and needed to be handed over to the state as part of distribution of assets under the Punjab Re-organisation Act 1966.
Sushant has been at loggerheads with the state government and state party president Khimmi Ram has even asked the party high command to sack him from the party.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
Higher education in Himachal is becoming a joke. In the name of privatisation, our government is passing ordinances to open up new universities and engineering colleges in villages. I understand we do not have enough of such institutes in the state, but the way they are sprouting everywhwre, is a cause for concern. Mr. Dhumal, instead of promoting your son, promote quality education in the state. What did you do for the betterment of HP University? It was recently downgraded by the UGC to the level of a B grade University. Believe me, the standard of education at the University is actually below C grade. I have seen it all when I was a student there. The University authorities should be thankful to the meritorios students who still prefer to go there, inspite of its falling standards. What a shame! It speaks a lot about the successive governments that have ruled the state over the years and have overlooked this once intellectually thriving higher institute of learning.
I agree with Sushant. As long as his crusade against corruption is free of politics, I am with him. I would also request others to join him. We need a third party in Himachal to keep a check on the ugly politics of the BJP and the Congress. I would also request the NSUI, ABVP and the SFI to forget their differences, and take this fight against corruption that was started by Anna Hazare to its logical conclusion.
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THIS IS REALLY THE TIME TO THINK AND ACT WITH A DEEP SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND RESTRAINT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ALL; IRRESPECTIVE OF GENUINE DIFFERENCES AT DIVERSE LEVELS. IT IS REALLY A POSITIVE SIGN THAT SUCH AWARENESS AND PEACEFUL AGITATIONS WILL MAKE DECISIVE IMPACT ON THE FINAL OUTCOME IN BEST INTEREST OF ALL. LET OUR MINDS AND HEARTS ACT IN UNISION.
OUR RESOLVE IS TO AWAKE ! ARISE!! AND STOP NOT TILL GOAL IS ACHEIVED.