Heated exchanges marked the proceedings after questions were raised on job creation figures.
Photo: SNS
The Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday witnessed noisy scenes during Question Hour as the ruling and opposition members sparred over the issue of employment.
Heated exchanges marked the proceedings after questions were raised on job creation figures.
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Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu assured the House that “this year will bring only jobs,” but the Opposition demanded clarity on why employment numbers had dipped compared to earlier claims. Dissatisfied with his response, BJP members staged a walkout.
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Responding to questions from Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur and other BJP MLAs Vipin Singh Parmar, Satpal Singh Satti and Bikram Singh
the Chief Minister reiterated that all promises made in the Congress manifesto would be fulfilled within five years.
He also confirmed that the commitment of providing Rs 1,500 to women would be honoured.
Sukhu said that candidates selected through the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission and the State Staff Selection Commission would be regularised after two years of service.
The term “contract,” he added, had been replaced with “trainee” following a court order.
He informed the House that 5,960 posts had been created across various departments. He accused the previous BJP government of opening institutions without creating posts or filling vacancies.
The Chief Minister stated that 7,000 posts had been filled in the Education Department alone, along with 5,000 pump operators and 1,100 nurses.
Results for 200 doctors’ posts were awaited, and appointments for 6,200 NTT teachers would be made within two months, he stated.
He added that the government was facilitating overseas employment opportunities for state youth, with discussions underway with agencies in Europe and Japan. Some youths had already secured jobs in Saudi Arabia, he said.
The BJP, however, questioned inconsistencies in the figures. Vipin Parmar pointed out that while the government earlier claimed 34,980 jobs were given, on August 15 the Chief Minister himself said 23,191 people had been employed. “Why this contradiction?” he asked, demanding an apology to the youth. Bikram Thakur and Satpal Satti also pressed the government over its promise of five lakh jobs in five years, alleging that the prpmises were not being fulfilled.
Jai Ram Thakur accused the Chief Minister of misleading the House. “Earlier you said 34,980 jobs, now you claim 23,191. Where have 11,000 jobs gone?” he asked.
Hitting back, the Chief Minister said the Opposition was “confused” and only seeking excuses to walk out. “If I am lying, bring a privilege motion against me,” Sukhu challenged.
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