Congress Govt’s Wrong Policies & Corruption Driving Away Industries from Himachal: Jairam

Shimla, August 26 – Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition, Jairam Thakur, launched a scathing attack on the Congress government, accusing it of being directly responsible for the exodus of industries from Himachal Pradesh. Speaking to the media at his office during the ongoing Assembly session, Thakur said, “Our government created a conducive environment for investment, but the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government has completely destroyed it.”

He alleged that steep hikes in electricity tariffs and illegal extortion have forced industrialists to shut operations or shift to other states, worsening unemployment in the region. “Instead of attracting investors, this government is scaring them away,” he added.

Thakur recalled that under the BJP government, Himachal had secured mega projects like the Medical Device Park and Bulk Drug Park. He also highlighted that during the Dharamshala Investors’ Meet, 703 MoUs worth ₹96,721 crore were signed, leading to two ground-breaking ceremonies in which over ₹41,000 crore worth of projects materialized in the state with participation of top central leaders.

The BJP leader accused the Congress of rampant corruption, saying even family members of Congress leaders are involved in pressurizing and extorting industrialists. He added, “In the last three years, not a single big industry has been established, instead existing industries are shutting down or leaving the state.”

Thakur concluded that the government’s failure to protect industry will have a severe impact on the state’s economy and employment scenario.