The political atmosphere is heated in Himachal Pradesh regarding the reintroduction of the lottery scheme. Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur has bly criticized the Sukhu government, calling the decision anti-people and against the interests of the state. He alleged that this step will again push the people of the state towards economic and mental distress.
Remembering the Ill Effects of Lotteries
Jairam Thakur stated that during the tenure of former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, incidents of suicide due to lotteries came to light, and many families were ruined. Many people's homes were auctioned off, causing deep socio-economic problems in society. He said that the Dhumal government, adopting a humanitarian approach, had discontinued this scheme.
He also reminded that even after that, the Virbhadra Singh government did not take any initiative to restart the lottery. Even when some groups proposed the restoration of the lottery during the previous BJP government, the government did not even deem it appropriate to meet with them. Jairam Thakur alleged that the Sukhu government's decision to restart this scheme by making an agreement with the Punjab government is an injustice to the people of the state.
Pressure from Another Force Behind the Lottery
Raising serious questions on the lottery restoration decision, Jairam Thakur claimed that another force is active behind it. He said that when he was the Chief Minister, pressure was also exerted to start the lottery, but he outright rejected it, prioritizing the interests of the public. He warned that if the government does not withdraw this decision, the BJP will take to the streets and protest across the state.
Questions Raised on Disaster Relief as Well
The Leader of the Opposition also questioned the Sukhu government's disaster relief policy. He said that the central government should definitely give a relief package to Himachal, but areas that have suffered more damage need special area and project-specific packages. Jairam Thakur also alleged that people who were promised assistance of ₹7 lakh in the 2023 disaster have received only the first installment to date. The government had announced a relief package of ₹4500 crore, but the whereabouts of that money are still unknown.
Targeted Jagat Singh
Reacting to a statement by Jagat Singh, Jairam Thakur directly attacked him. He said that this person completely lacks a humanitarian approach, and he does not want to say much about him. At the same time, he clarified that in the upcoming monsoon session, the BJP will surround the government on every issue of public interest and will bly raise the voice of the people in the assembly.
