Deferment of Panchayat elections was purely due to administrative reasons : Rohit Thakur
Education Minister Rohit Thakur, while addressing a press conference here today, strongly refuted the allegations of the opposition regarding postponement of Panchayat elections in the State. He clarified that the deferment of Panchayat elections was purely due to administrative reasons based on valid recommendations from officials who have suggested to defer the election as the restoration and rehabilitation works are being carried out after severe natural disaster.
He said that the BJP has displayed double standards, as they themselves had delayed Corporation elections by a year in 2022. Not only that, the elections were deferred in many other states under BJP rule for various reasons. Yet, the BJP chooses to ignore such contexts while criticizing the Congress Government. The decision to defer elections was made in consideration of citizen safety and the approaching harsh winter.
Since 2023, Himachal Pradesh has faced severe natural calamities, claiming around 700 lives and losses exceeding Rs. 15,000 crore to the infrastructure. While the previous BJP government failed to ensure preparedness, the Congress Government acted proactively and issued Rs. 4,500 crore special relief package from State’s resources and significantly increasing compensation for fully and partially damaged houses in the year 2023. The government has also extended support to agriculturists, horticulturists, shop owners, displaced families and urban and rural households.
The Education Minister said that he and his Cabinet colleagues met central ministers to apprise about of the State’s situation and appealed for assistance for affected families. Despite these persistent efforts, the Centre did not provide the support required, as the opposition repeatedly obstructed the process. Instead of playing the role of constructive opposition, the BJP misleads the public, raises baseless questions on the official visits of state congress leaders and indulges in personal attacks which show their inability to highlight genuine issues. The opposition has utterly failed to represent Himachal Pradesh’s legitimate rights at the Centre, not securing even a single penny in relief for the State. Instead, they are entirely consumed with finding faults and attacking every constructive initiative of the Congress Government which shows their complete disregard for the welfare of the people of the state they claim to be fighting for.
The Minister also highlighted the historic transformation in education under the Congress Government, which has earned national recognition. English-medium education has been introduced from Class 1st and 100 Government Senior Secondary Schools will be affiliated with CBSE from the next academic session. Rajiv Gandhi Day-Boarding Schools with modern infrastructure are being established in every Assembly constituency, offering world class infrastructure and facilities to the students. Over 7000 teachers have been appointed and more than 7,000 posts filled in the last two and a half years, compared to the previous BJP government. Schools with zero and very low student enrolment have been rationalized for optimal resource utilization. The decision to retire teachers only at the end of the academic session was made to ensure uninterrupted education of the students.
The Minister said that repair and reconstruction of disaster-affected schools is being given top priority, and each assembly constituency will have at least one CBSE-affiliated school to provide quality education. The Education Department has been reorganized for better coordination, with one directorate overseeing school education and another handling higher education. Initiatives like Bag-Free Day, promotion of local dialect, school adoption and exposure visits for students and teachers to countries like Cambodia and Singapore just to strengthen the learning outcomes and community engagement.
Over the past two and a half years, Himachal Pradesh has made remarkable progress in education achieving the goal of becoming a fully literate state, rising from 21st position in 2021 to among the top five states.
He said that over 87,000 students have benefited from scholarships, including the Dr. Y.S. Parmar Vidyarthi Rin Yojna, Mukhyamantri Sukh Shiksha Yojna and many other schemes, with Rs. 92 crore disbursed in two years. The Bal Poshtik Aahar Yojna provides nutritious meals to over 5.34 lakh students across 15,181 schools. Many other schemes are being implemented to support various sections of the societies, including SC/ST, OBC, economically weaker students, children with disabilities, and children of widowed or divorced women, ensuring inclusive education.
Rohit Thakur also highlighted the financial challenges facing the State. GST rationalization has caused a direct loss of over Rs. 1,000 crore, due to the reduction of GST on cement from 28 percent to 18 percent. Revenue Deficit Grant has dropped from Rs. 10,249 crore in 2021-22 to Rs. 3,257 crore in the current fiscal year, placing additional strain on the State exchequer. Despite these constraints, the Congress Government continues to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities and make all possible efforts for providing essential services, disaster relief and quality education.
Rohit Thakur said that while BJP leaders indulge in baseless criticism and political point-scoring, the Congress Government remains fully committed to the welfare of the people and rebuilding the State while transforming education and promoting local culture. The tangible improvements in literacy, school infrastructure, learning outcomes and student welfare clearly demonstrate the government’s focus on long-term growth, equity and excellence in all sectors.
