Jairam Thakur Slams Govt Over Illegal Liquor Factory & Exam Fee for Women Applicants

Mandi, May 29, 2025 – Former Himachal CM and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur has raised serious questions over the inaction in the multi-crore illegal liquor racket busted on May 5 at Triloksons Brewery in Kala Amb, district Sirmaur. Thakur alleged that despite initial raids by the Excise Department, the key masterminds behind the racket remain untraced, and operations seem to have stalled following public pressure and potential involvement of the Chief Minister’s Office.

He demanded to know who was shielding the operation of such a massive illegal factory, where during the raid, authorities seized:

• 230 cartons of illegal whisky
• 3.95 lakh labels of foreign liquor
• 42,000 labels of ‘Santra’ brand country liquor
• 2,100 cases of country liquor
• 1,100 cases of English liquor
• 20–22 unauthorized workers with no official records

Thakur questioned the lack of exemplary action against the culprits despite the scale of the crime.

In a separate charge, Thakur slammed the state government for charging application fees from female candidates for competitive exams, contradicting its own election promise of financial support to women. He said, “Our government had waived application fees for girls. This government, which promised ₹1500 per month to women, is now charging them to apply for jobs. This fee must be rolled back immediately.”