Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh on Tuesday publicly criticized non-state IAS and IPS officers, accusing them of prioritizing private aims over the welfare of the state.
Singh upheld Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri’s month-old warning a couple of bureaucratic conspiracy towards the Congress authorities in Himachal Pradesh, whereas urging Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh to take agency motion.
In a scathing publish on Fb, the minister, son of former six-time chief minister Virbhadra Singh, stated, “We agree with the deputy chief minister’s speech in Mandi. Some IAS and IPS officers from UP and Bihar “They don’t have any regard for Himachal’s values. They’ve little curiosity in Himachal’s pursuits. They need to serve the nation and never behave like rulers.”
The assertion got here virtually a month after Agnihotri’s remarks at a nationwide occasion in Mandi to commemorate three years of Congress authorities in Himachal on December 6, 2025. The deputy CM warned bureaucrats towards “assembly with people who find themselves towards the federal government”, including that those that took motion towards the federal government “will likely be handled at nighttime of evening”.
Vikramaditya, who oversees the Public Works Division, City Growth and Housing, alleged that these officers lacked true dedication to Himachal and warned that failure to behave shortly might hurt the nation’s pursuits.
Talking to reporters on Tuesday, Singh expressed dissatisfaction with the “unfair and arbitrary” allocation of funds, though he declined to call particular officers.
“Funds from the Heart are for the folks of Himachal. No official has the correct to distribute funds arbitrarily, however one thing like this has occurred,” he stated, including, “As elected representatives, we won’t permit anybody to hurt the pursuits of the nation.”
He accused some out-of-state IAS and IPS officers of misusing central funds for roads and different tasks and spoiling the spirit of Himachal. “I respect the framework of a centrist state and welcome officers from all ranks, however the pursuits of the nation come first. It’s our obligation to guard them,” Singh stated.
He identified that comparable considerations have been raised by Agnihotri, the state’s opposition chief Jai Ram Thakur and others. “Himachal’s assets should profit the folks and never serve private pursuits,” Singh careworn.
At present, Debesh Kumar, a 1997 IAS officer from Uttar Pradesh, is the principal secretary within the incapacity, city growth and finance division headed by Singh.
When contacted, the minister stated on Wednesday, “I’m free to boost my considerations. As a consultant of the folks and the flag bearer of former CM Virbhadra Singh’s legacy, I can not settle for that some law enforcement officials are misusing their powers to hurt Himachal’s pursuits.”
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opposing opinion
Not everybody within the Congress authorities agreed with Mr. Singh’s sweeping criticism.
“Lots of the employees who’ve come from exterior are doing an important job. As a substitute of constructing normal statements, particular names ought to be talked about. Such blanket statements aren’t truthful apply,” Income and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi instructed ThePrint.
Senior Congress chief Rashid Alvi additionally weighed in on the controversy.
“Civil servants serve throughout India. Statements like this divide the nation, identical to Raj Thackeray’s assaults on folks from UP, Maharashtra and Bihar. India belongs to everybody. Administrative divisions are positive, however mutual assaults are inappropriate,” Alvi instructed reporters in New Delhi.
Though Singh didn’t title anybody, his feedback have been seen as an indication of weakening management over the federal government’s forms, a cost steadily made by Himachal Pradesh’s opposition Bharatiya Janata Social gathering.
A senior Congress chief within the state instructed ThePrint on situation of anonymity, “There may be nothing new right here. We’ve been saying that from the start. Officers aren’t listening to Congress leaders and even ministers are getting annoyed.”
Former minister Ram Lal Thakur, an in depth aide of late CM Virbhadra Singh, not too long ago instructed reporters that Well being Minister Dhaniram Chandil had confided in him in regards to the well being minister’s disregard for his directions.
“I do not know who Singh is referring to, however the authorities is shielding a number of law enforcement officials, which is demoralizing different officers. Stability is essential. If the deputy CM and ministers are feeling the warmth, the state of affairs is severe,” a senior IAS official stated on situation of anonymity.
The official added that Congress leaders had been complaining in regards to the forms for a very long time, however their considerations went unheeded.
Political analyst Rana stated many Congress leaders have been evaluating the present authorities unfavorably with the Virbhadra Singh authorities. “He used his intensive expertise to strategy law enforcement officials in another way,” he stated.
Opinion ballot reveals Rajya Sabha forward
The accusations have been made forward of the Rajya Sabha elections in April 2026, when Bharatiya Janata Social gathering MP Indu Goswami’s time period ends.
“Some folks need Pratibha Singh to be nominated as Rajya Sabha MP to appease the Virbhadra faction. Rajni Patil’s title can also be being floated,” stated one other Congress chief on situation of anonymity. “It is sophisticated, particularly after Abhishek Manu Singhvi’s defeat final time, when the federal government virtually collapsed because of cross-voting. Even then, the ‘outsider, narrative’ surfaced. Nobody is aware of what is going on on now,” he stated.
A 3rd senior chief and former minister stated, “The forms is certainly unchecked. It was the CM’s job to maintain the forms in examine. The truth that the CM deputy stated this in public, in entrance of central leaders and officers, reveals that it was pressing. However nothing appears to have modified since then.”
Within the final Rajya Sabha elections in February 2024, Harsh Mahajan of the BJP unexpectedly defeated Abhishek Manu Singhvi of the Congress. With a unfavorable vote by six Congress MLAs, the 34-34 tie was determined by draw of tons in favor of the BJP. This triggered a disaster and by-elections have been held following the disqualification of MLAs because the Congress scrambled to safe the federal government.
Himachal Pradesh will elect three members to Rajya Sabha.
(Edited by Prerna Madan)
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