From promicing ₹1500 now charging ₹10 for health slips: Jairam Slams Himachal Govt

In a fiery address at a BJP District Mahasu meeting in Theog, Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur launched a sharp critique of the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government, accusing it of betraying public trust and failing to deliver on key election promises.

Thakur expressed dismay over the recent introduction of a ₹10 fee for health check-up slips—previously provided free of cost. “The same government that promised ₹1500 monthly support to women is now charging them ₹10 for a piece of paper,” he said, calling the move symbolic of misplaced priorities.

He also took aim at the Health Minister’s justification that the fee would prevent slip loss, calling it “absurd” in light of the state’s ongoing healthcare challenges. “When patients are waiting months for basic scans like CTs and MRIs, the government is talking about robotic surgeries. There’s a huge gap between their announcements and ground reality,” Thakur remarked.

Highlighting national achievements under the BJP-led central government, Thakur praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, citing India’s rise from the 11th to the 4th largest economy globally, the abolition of triple talaq, and the construction of the Ram temple as milestones.

In contrast, he accused the state government of halting development projects and increasing the financial burden on citizens through higher bus fares and new taxes. “This government will be remembered not for what it built, but for what it stopped,” he said.

Thakur also criticized the handling of the Old Pension Scheme, claiming that the new alternatives introduced by the Congress government have only added confusion. “People are still waiting for the benefits they were promised. Instead, they’re being charged ₹10–₹20 under various pretexts,” he added.

He concluded with a confident prediction: “If elections were held today, the BJP would return with a thumping majority.”