No re-employment for ‘tired & retired’ officials, says Jai Ram Thakur

SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh chief minister-designate Jai Ram Thakur on Monday said “tired and retired” officials re-employed by the previous Congress regime will be asked to leave immediately after his government is formed.

Former chief minister Virbhadra Singh had re-appointed many retired officials and the BJP at the time had questioned his government’s decision and had alleged that “tired and retired” people were running the Himachal administration.

Thakur, who will be first leader from Mandi to head administration in Himachal, said he is finalising names for his cabinet. The process of finalising names of potential ministers is going on, he said, adding: “New cabinet will have experienced leaders and some new faces.” In his first media interaction after his election as the leader of the BJP Legislature Party, Thakur said no extension would be given to government employees on verge of retirement and no retired officials would be re-appointed.


“Decision on those in reemployment or extension would be taken on December 27 after the oath-taking ceremony,” Thakur said.

Voters in Himachal Pradesh, Thakur said, have brought the BJP to power and now living up to the expectations of people would be the priority of his government. “No stone would be left unturned to fulfill the expectations of people for which they have voted the BJP to power with an overwhelming majority,” he added.

My govt will be open to criticism, suggestions’
Thakur said his government will be open to healthy criticism and suggestions to ensure proper development of Himachal Pradesh and to ensure good governance. “Whenever you see that something is not going in right direction, you should bring it to our notice immediately and we will rectify it. I will remain open to criticism and suggestions for the betterment of our state,” the CM-designate said.

Efforts would be made to end the VIP culture, Thakur said, adding that appointments of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of different boards and corporations would be made only on needto basis.

Accusing the Congress government of failing to implement Central-sponsored schemes effectively in the state, Thakur said: “The previous regime had failed to effectively implement the Centrally-sponsored schemes due to which state could not get desired benefits. Effective implementation of Central schemes will be the priority of my new government.”

In Himachal Pradesh, respective governments have been accused by party in the opposition of vendetta politics. Thakur said no such trend will continue. “Allegations in the charge sheet prepared by the BJP would be handed over for a proper investigation, but there will be no vendetta politics,” he said.

After the oath-taking ceremony, Thakur said he would go for an administrative reshuffle. As the decision of the previous Congress government to declare Dharamshala as second capital of Himachal Pradesh had led to controversy, Thakur said there would be no change in the present status of Dharamshala.