Shimla:
The controversy triggered by Himachal Pradesh PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh’s social media post is showing no signs of calming down. After his remarks targeting IAS and IPS officers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, ministers from his own government have begun distancing themselves from the statement.
Following Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh also termed Vikramaditya’s comments “unfortunate” and said it is inappropriate to raise questions about officers publicly.
Speaking to the media in Shimla on Wednesday, Anirudh Singh said bureaucrats are the backbone of any government and such allegations damage their morale. He added that it is wrong to discuss which state an officer belongs to, as many IAS officers from Himachal Pradesh are also serving in other parts of the country.
He stressed that the administrative system runs on coordination and trust, not on blame and counter-blame. Anirudh further pointed out that if a minister faces delays in getting work done, the reasons could be related to work style, budget limitations, or the effective use of resources—not always the officers.
Earlier, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi had also disagreed with Vikramaditya Singh’s statement, saying several officers from outside states have been doing commendable work in Himachal Pradesh. Negi warned that such generalized comments can discourage even sincere and hardworking officers.
The controversy comes amid Vikramaditya Singh’s strict stance on quality issues in his department. Recently, serious shortcomings were reported in the construction of the new Chief Minister and Chief Secretary office building near the main gate of the state secretariat. Inspection findings highlighted cracks in columns, insufficient steel cover, and negligence in curing procedures. The minister had directed strict action and sought a detailed report within 24 hours, stating that there would be no compromise on construction quality.
