Sukhu cabinet minister cautions fellow minister from indulging in regionalism

Shimla, June 21 – Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh cautioned his cabinet colleague Anirudh Singh not to indulge in regionalism with regard to the dispute between taxi operators of Shimla and Sirmaur districts here.
Vikramaditya Singh criticized Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh for his public stand in favor of Shimla Taxi Union and said because of him the Government was being targeted by the opposition BJP.
He said that such issues must be handled with care and reminded that Congress never believes in regionalism.
He stated that every dispute must be resolved impartially.
Vikramaditya Singh said there were disputes between taxi operators in the capital Shimla in the past, but an attempt was now being made to give it a regional color, which will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Whether it is the people of Kangra, Sirmaur, Bharmour and Kinnaur, it is the responsibility of the state government to strengthen all the regions and provide employment.
Without mentioning that the minister influenced the administration by involving himself in the dispute, Vikramaditya Singh said the Police Superintendent and Divisional Commissioners of Shimla were expected to resolve the ongoing taxi dispute.
He said the Government would rectify its stand and sort out the matter soon.
The incident followed a minor altercation between two taxi union groups belonging to the capital town Shimla and Sirmaur last week when the rural development minister Anirudh Singh publicly supported the Shimla Taxi Union and pressurized the police to take action against Sirmour taxi operators and tourist guides.The protesters claimed that instead of attempting to pacify the Shimla taxi union, Anirudh Singh on Monday said all those involved in the scuffle would be arrested and asked the taxi drivers from the capital to be patient. The Sirmaur taxi union protested against the statement on Tuesday, saying Singh is a minister of the entire state and not just Shimla. They said the politics of bias towards a district will not be tolerated. Lending support to the protest, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur issued a statement saying Anirudh Singh’s statement was an attack on the federal structure and was aimed at breaking the state.BJP alleged that police were not even registering complaints from injured members of the Sirmaur taxi union.