Key Points

Addressing media persons in Shimla, Thakur said the state government has performed exceptionally well across all departments despite adverse circumstances.

"In the education department alone, over 7,000 regular recruitments have been made so far from JBT teachers to college cadre principals. Thousands more appointments to various posts will be made soon," he said.

He pointed out that the number of schools without teachers has drastically decreased from 350 in 2022 to fewer than 100 now, while the number of single-teacher schools has dropped from 3,600 to around 2,000.

Thakur also said that despite the heavy losses caused by recent natural disasters, the state has not received substantial assistance from the Centre. "The Centre has not extended any significant help for the losses caused by the disaster," he said, adding that Himachal has now achieved full literacy status.

On the issue of panchayat elections, Thakur clarified that the government's decision was purely administrative.

"The decision regarding panchayat elections has been taken for administrative reasons, not political ones. There is no question of avoiding elections. The BJP's allegations are politically motivated. Elections will be held once the situation normalises," the minister said.

Thakur further remarked that the opposition has limited itself to political posturing.

"The opposition remains confined only to politics," he said, expressing hope that the Centre would extend support to the state in its ongoing recovery efforts.

Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu denied the BJP's claims of deliberately postponing Panchayat elections, accusing the party of opposing everything and diverting attention.

"The BJP makes a big deal out of everything. It has become the BJP's policy to oppose everything. They only want to divert attention. When the disaster struck in 2023, the BJP was demanding that the assembly session be held. Due to the disaster, the session was delayed... At that time, we discussed the disaster, but during the discussion on the 2023-24 disaster, the BJP walked out of the House... This time, the disaster is even bigger than 2023... We have spoken to all Deputy Commissioners, who said that they have not yet succeeded in connecting the roads to the panchayats," he said.

He attributed the delay to the ongoing disaster in the state, which he said is more severe than the 2023 calamity. Sukhu noted that Deputy Commissioners reported difficulties in restoring road connectivity to panchayats, hampering election preparations.

"The disaster relief work was being affected due to the Panchayat elections, so it was decided that as soon as the roads are restored, we will conduct the Panchayat elections... After the rains stop, our first duty and responsibility is to provide relief to the disaster-affected people... Elections will definitely take place. As soon as the roads to all panchayats are restored, the elections will be held," he added.

- ANI