Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu accused the previous BJP government in the state of launching over 590 institutions in the election haste. The sole purpose of the institutions, which he alleged were opened during the fag end of their tenure without making any budgetary provision and recruiting required staff, was to woo voters.

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was interacting with the media after his arrival at Shimla from New Delhi on Sunday.

He further said the BJP government during the last six months of its tenure went on a spree to open health, education, revenue and other institutions in a desperate bid to win over voters.

To make all these 590 institutions functional, an amount of about Rs 3,000 crore was required, he added.

“It is strange the state was reeling under heavy debts of over Rs 75,000 crore and the BJP dispensation which claimed to be double-engine government could not even get assistance of even a single penny from the Central government during its tenure,” he pointed out.

Sukhu said over 30 health institutions had been opened by the BJP government which did not have even class IV employees and a large number of these institutions were opened with just a single employee.

It is strange that SDM offices were opened with no SDM posted at these offices, he added.

In most of the institutions, staff from adjoining institutions was temporarily deployed which not only proved futile for the newly-opened offices but also hampered the functioning of the already existing institution, the chief minister said.

The health institutions were devoid of man and machine and were simply an eye wash to hoodwink the people, he alleged.

The incumbent chief minister said the state government would take up the entire issue with the people and apprise them about the misdeeds of the previous BJP government. They have decided to wind up such institutions and all these would be reviewed and if found to be viable and required would be opened after making proper budget provision.

“The present government was for a change of governance system and not to enjoy power. Our government will ensure that institutions are opened as per demand and in the larger interest of the people of the state,” he said.

Talking about the arrest of the accused in the JOA (IT) paper leak, he said it showed that the paper scam has been going on in the state since the BJP government tenure. He directed the police officers to be vigilant whenever such papers were conducted so as to ensure complete transparency and accountability.

The chief minister expressed concern concerned over the issue related to the cement plants in the state and the issue was between Cement Plant management and Truck Operators Union and would be sorted out soon.

The people of the state would get cement at cheaper rates in the days to come, he assured.