Engineers, Guards selling liquor: BJP slams Vyavastha parivartan’ in Himachal
Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source: Internet
Shimla, May 3,
Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur launched a attack on the Himachal Pradesh government on Friday, alleging that in the name of “Vyavasth partivartan,” the administration has reduced governance to a farce by assigning critical municipal staff—including junior engineers and home guard jawans—to liquor-selling duties.
In a press statement issued from Shimla, Thakur expressed outrage over the state government’s decision to hand over the operation of liquor vends to municipal corporations, including the Shimla Municipal Corporation. “The obsession with liquor sales has reached such an extent that even Junior Engineers (JEs), who are supposed to be engaged in infrastructure and public service tasks, are now manning liquor shops,” he said.
Citing the example of Shimla, Thakur revealed that at least one JE, seven inspectors, 18 home guards, and more than 20 other municipal staff have been diverted to oversee the functioning of liquor outlets. “This misallocation of human resources has paralyzed essential services. Offices are lying deserted, and citizens are returning disappointed as their basic civic needs remain unaddressed,” he added.
Thakur questioned the rationale behind such decisions, asking, “If engineers and inspectors are selling liquor, who is looking after tax assessments, encroachment removal, proposal drafting, and revenue recovery?”
He stated that the property and estate branch of the Municipal Corporation, once responsible for tax calculations and NOCs, is now maintaining liquor shop records. “Instead of governance, this administration is promoting an alcohol distribution model at the cost of public interest,” Thakur said.
Noteworthy that previously the State government had decided that governmental agencies like HIMFED, HPMC, Forest Corporation, Civil Supplies Corporation, and Municipal Corporations will operate the liquor vends which remained un auctioned.
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