Hamirpur, January 3:
Senior Himachal Pradesh BJP spokesperson and former Sujanpur MLA Rajendra Rana leveled serious allegations against Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, saying that the state is currently operating at full speed, not in the form of a governance system, but in the form of a “Mitra Mandali Promotion Scheme.” He said that the Chief Minister is completely ignoring laws, rules, and administrative decorum and is busy benefiting his favorites.
In a statement issued here today, Rajendra Rana said that for the past three years, power has been openly abused in the state under the guise of the Mitra Mandali Fraud Scheme, Mitra Mandali Property Dealing Scheme, and Mitra Mandali Loan Waiver Scheme. Now, the new year has begun with the Mitra Mandali Promotion Scheme Unlimited. He alleged that a senior systems manager posted in the Chief Minister’s Office was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Pollution Control Board by bypassing all rules and procedures and getting the cabinet approval. Similarly, a DARO-rank officer, who had previously served as Tehsildar in Nadaun, was promoted to HAS in blatant disregard of rules. Rana said that this is not a reward for merit, but for closeness.
The BJP spokesperson said that during Chief Minister Sukhu’s tenure, his circle of friends has been rewarded with unlimited OSDs, media advisors, media coordinators, and various advisory positions. The Chief Minister’s policy is clear: none of his friends should be left behind in power, even if this means trampling the Constitution, service rules, and administrative structure. He alleged that Himachal Pradesh is being transformed into a fiefdom of friends.
Rajendra Rana said that while his friends are winning promotions and positions, the people of the state are suffering. Development work has come to a complete standstill. Employees aren’t receiving their salaries on time, pensioners aren’t receiving their pensions, and medical claims are pending for months. Young people are angry with the government, women feel betrayed, and contractors aren’t being paid for their work. Conversely, the land mafia, mining mafia, liquor mafia, and promotion mafia appear safe and happy under the government’s protection.
He alleged that all limits of administrative tyranny were crossed when a senior IAS officer, who had not yet completed his retirement, was forcibly retired simply so that an officer close to the Chief Minister could receive a promotion. Rana said this was not systemic change, but administrative degradation and a blatant disregard for rules.
Rajendra Rana said that during the BJP government’s tenure, public welfare schemes like the Him Care Scheme and the Urban Scheme directly benefited the poor and needy. However, the Sukhu government has put the state’s people in crisis by shutting down these schemes. The Chief Minister has failed to introduce any concrete new schemes for the public, while schemes to benefit his close associates are being implemented at full speed.
Rajendra Rana demanded an impartial and high-level investigation into all questionable appointments and promotions, including the Mitra Mandali Promotion Scheme Unlimited. He said that strict action should be taken against the culprits and Himachal Pradesh should receive a government of the law, the Constitution, and the people, not of friends. Rana made it clear that the Bharatiya Janata Party would vigorously raise this issue from the streets to the House of Assembly, and that public interests would not be compromised in any way.
