Mandi, Jan 30, | HimachalScape
The simmering confrontation between the political executive and sections of the bureaucracy in Himachal Pradesh has sharpened, with a cabinet minister in the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government moving a notice of breach of privilege against the Deputy Commissioner of Mandi.
The Ayush, Youth Services & Sports and Law Minister has submitted the privilege notice before the Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, alleging violation of established government protocol and disregard for a constitutional office.
According to the notice, the minister arrived in Mandi on January 25, a day ahead of the Republic Day programme scheduled for January 26, 2026. The Deputy Commissioner was reportedly not present on the minister’s arrival, nor was any prior communication made. The conduct has been termed administrative indifference and lack of preparedness—particularly serious on the eve of a nationally significant event.
The notice argues that such behaviour undermines the dignity of an elected representative and constitutes a breach of privilege of the Legislative Assembly. The minister has sought an explanation from the Deputy Commissioner and directions to ensure strict adherence to protocol in future.
This is the second or third such instance in recent months, reflecting growing unease within the ruling establishment over the functioning of a section of the bureaucracy. Earlier, the Deputy Chief Minister had accused a senior IAS officer of aligning with the BJP and allegedly obstructing the release of funds meant for his department. Separately, the PWD Minister had publicly alleged that certain IAS and IPS officers from outside the state were not working in Himachal Pradesh’s interest and raised concerns over alleged favoritism in clearing contractors’ payments—claims that, he warned, damage perceptions of administrative neutrality.
The tension has also spilled into Republic Day protocol. In a notable departure from past practice, a cabinet minister from the camp of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, including his son Vikramaditya Singh, did not preside over the R-Day parade. Instead, chairpersons and officers were designated as presiding authorities—an exception that has further fuelled political disquiet.
The latest privilege notice has once again put the uneasy relationship between the elected government and a section of so-called “blue-eyed” bureaucrats under the scanner, raising larger questions about accountability, coordination, and respect for democratic institutions within the state administration.
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