Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu alleged that the NEET paper leak during the BJP-led Central Government's tenure had shattered the dreams of millions of students across the country. He said playing with the future of youth was unacceptable under any circumstances.
Launching the Youth Congress campaign, 'Chhatron Ki Goonj', from the State Congress headquarters in Shimla, he said the campaign would organise protests and public outreach programmes across the state to highlight issues concerning students.
The Chief Minister said the Agniveer Yojana introduced by the Central Government had been unfair to the youth of Himachal Pradesh. He said a large number of youngsters from the state earlier joined the Army, but the four-year service model had reduced their interest in military recruitment.
He said the state government was creating regular employment opportunities through transparent recruitment in the Police and other departments. He alleged that during the previous BJP government in the state, question papers for the Police recruitment examination and the Himachal Pradesh Staff Selection Commission were leaked and sold for huge sums of money.
To ensure transparency in recruitment, the present government has established the Rajya Chayan Aayog. Referring to the NEET paper leak, he said it had destroyed the aspirations of millions of students across the country.
The Chief Minister said the state government was introducing major reforms in the education sector. He said Himachal Pradesh had slipped to the 21st position in quality education in 2021 but had now climbed to the fifth position due to the efforts of the present government. He expressed confidence that the state would soon become the country's top performer in education. He added that modern CBSE schools were being established across the state and teachers were being recruited to improve the quality of education.
Sukhu said the government was strengthening healthcare services across the state. He said people from Himachal spend nearly Rs 1,000 crore annually on treatment outside the state due to the lack of advanced medical facilities. To address this, hospitals are being equipped with modern medical equipment on the lines of AIIMS, New Delhi. He added that 3-Tesla MRI machines are being installed in all medical colleges and robotic surgery facilities have already been introduced to improve healthcare, especially for economically weaker families.
The Chief Minister said the government was promoting natural farming to strengthen the rural economy. He said crops grown through natural farming were being given a Minimum Support Price (MSP). He added that the government was procuring cow milk at Rs 61 per litre and buffalo milk at Rs 71 per litre to support farmers.
Highlighting the government's welfare initiatives, Sukhu said social security remained one of its highest priorities. He said students were being provided education loans of up to Rs 20 lakh at an interest rate of one per cent. He also said around 6,000 orphaned children had been adopted as 'Children of the State', with the government taking responsibility for their overall development. He urged party workers to ensure that the Congress government's welfare schemes reached the grassroots so that all eligible beneficiaries could avail themselves of the benefits.
The Chief Minister said the Union Government had discontinued the state's revenue deficit grant. He also claimed that BJP leaders had repeatedly opposed the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme for state government employees. He questioned why people should vote for the BJP under such circumstances and expressed confidence that the Congress would return to power in Himachal Pradesh in 2027.
Sukhu said his political journey began through student politics and that the Congress had given him the opportunity to serve the people as Chief Minister.
He said the party's ideology had played a key role in India's freedom struggle and later laid the foundation for the country's development through initiatives such as the Five-Year Plans and institutions like the IITs and AIIMS.
Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania said Sukhu had risen from student politics to become the Chief Minister. He alleged that several examination papers had been leaked during the BJP's tenure, while the present state government had taken strict action against those involved in paper leak cases and ensured transparency in recruitment.
Youth Congress national in-charge Jyotish H.M. said protests would be organised in every Assembly constituency under the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' campaign to raise awareness among students and the public about issues such as the NEET paper leak.
Himachal Pradesh Youth Congress president Chhattar Singh said the present state government was providing employment opportunities to young people purely on the basis of merit.
A two-minute silence was also observed in memory of the 21 students who allegedly lost their lives in circumstances linked to the NEET paper leak controversy, and prayers were offered for the peace of their souls.
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