Sukhu government misleading people on Centre’s development works in Himachal, says Kiren Rijiju

Union minister for parliamentary affairs and minority affairs Kiren Rijiju, during his visit to Himachal Pradesh, strongly criticised the state’s Congress-led Sukhu government. He said the state government was misleading people by claiming that the Centre was not supporting development efforts in the region. Rijiju said that several major projects were being launched by the central government in tribal districts of Himachal Pradesh, especially Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur.

Projects worth ₹80 crore announced

Rijiju is on a three-day tour of Himachal Pradesh. During this time, he said that foundation stones for projects worth over ₹80 crore would be laid in the tribal districts. These include an indoor multi-sports stadium at Kalpa, green grass turf at Gyabung in Kinnaur worth ₹4.80 crore, and a high-altitude skiing and winter sports training centre at Kaza in Lahaul-Spiti. This winter sports centre will also include vocational training facilities and is expected to cost ₹73.77 crore. A sewage management system for high-altitude villages in Lahaul has also been announced.

Rijiju said that all these projects are part of the Centre’s special border-area development strategy. According to him, the Modi government has given top priority to developing infrastructure in border areas ever since it came to power in 2014. He said this was necessary to ensure growth and safety in these remote areas.

Rijiju criticised the Congress party’s earlier approach, saying that the previous Congress government had adopted a policy of ignoring border areas in terms of development. He said that this policy has now been reversed. The Modi government is building roads that reach up to the international border, especially the ones near China. According to Rijiju, this approach has helped India build world-class infrastructure in border areas, which had long been neglected.

He gave the example of a statement made by the then defence minister AK Antony in 2013. Rijiju said that Antony had told Parliament there would be no development in some border regions. Rijiju said that this had been a wrong decision and the current government was now correcting that mistake by investing heavily in infrastructure projects.

He also unveiled a special central package to promote winter and adventure sports in the tribal areas of Himachal. Rijiju said that such activities would not only attract tourism but also bring employment opportunities and better facilities to the region.

Rijiju added that the Sukhu government’s claims about the Centre not supporting Himachal Pradesh were false and politically motivated. He said a large number of development projects were already being funded by the Union government and more were in the pipeline. According to him, the people should be told the truth instead of being misled by political statements.

During his visit, Rijiju also met Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla. The meeting was seen as part of the official tour, but Rijiju made it clear in public statements that he disagreed with the Congress government’s narrative regarding development in the state.

While unveiling the projects, Rijiju emphasised the importance of strengthening border districts. He said these areas are not just remote and underdeveloped, but also hold strategic importance for national security. Investing in these regions is important both from a defence and development point of view.

Rijiju also took the opportunity to speak about the Emergency of 1975. He described it as the “murder of the Constitution” and said it had silenced the media and taken away people's freedoms. He stated that the Union Cabinet had passed a resolution to remember this dark period and called June 26 as “Samvidhan Hatya Divas”. He said it was important to observe this day from Shimla, as the city holds historical significance.

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In his speech, Rijiju said, “Even after 50 years, we must not forget the dangers of authoritarianism.” He added that observing this day was a way to remind people about the importance of protecting democracy and freedom of expression.

Overall, the Union minister’s visit to Himachal Pradesh focused on two key messages—highlighting central government’s development work in the state and countering the Congress government’s allegations. He used the opportunity to unveil new projects, defend the Centre’s role in infrastructure growth, and comment on historical political issues like the Emergency.

Rijiju also said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, development of border roads, sports facilities, and sewage systems has picked up speed. He said all of these efforts show the Centre’s commitment towards improving the quality of life in remote and tribal areas of the country.

His announcement about the sports training centre and indoor stadium is expected to give a boost to local talent and sports tourism. The sewage management system for high-altitude areas will also address sanitation challenges that these villages face due to their geographical conditions.

In conclusion, Rijiju’s statements and announcements during this visit are a clear attempt by the Centre to showcase its development work in Himachal Pradesh and counter the state government’s narrative. Whether these projects bring visible change on the ground will be seen in the coming months. For now, the political war of words continues between the Centre and the state.