Shimla: Leader of Opposition and former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday accused the Congress government of pushing the state into a “crisis” through what he termed arbitrary and impractical policy decisions, alleging that farmers, students and patients were bearing the brunt of its failures.
In a statement issued in Shimla, Thakur said the government’s handling of health, education and horticulture had exposed its administrative shortcomings. He alleged that patients were struggling to access benefits under Ayushman Bharat and Himcare and were being forced to buy medicines and diagnostic services from private facilities.
On education, Thakur criticised fee hikes at Himachal Pradesh University and other institutions, saying the increased financial burden was particularly affecting students from poor and rural families. He said student protests and hunger strikes reflected growing resentment against the government.
Thakur launched his strongest attack over the handling of the apple season, alleging that the government had gone back on its promise to allow orchardists to determine the price of their produce. He claimed that growers were now being served notices for selling apples. The issue of a 30-bag procurement cap under the Market Intervention Scheme has also previously drawn criticism from Thakur.
He alleged that orchardists were being summoned to the offices of SDMs, Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars with land records and Aadhaar cards, while payments of around ₹80 crore remained pending for 2024-25 and 2025-26.
Questioning the reported 30-bag limit for gunny bags, Thakur said the restriction was impractical during the peak harvesting season and would add to growers’ difficulties. He alleged that the government’s policies were favouring “select syndicates” at the cost of orchardists.
Thakur warned that continued public dissatisfaction could trigger a statewide agitation. He said the BJP would raise the issues in the Assembly and oppose what he described as “anti-people” decisions of the Sukhu government.
