Cabinet expansion, reshuffle likely in coming days, says Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu

Meanwhile, former DIG Vinod Dhawan Saturday objected to a resolution passed by the Himachal Pradesh IPS Officers’ Association urging the state government to not attach any IPS officer with the PWD minister. In a post on social media, Dhawan questioned the propriety of the Association’s reaction to the minister’s statement. The retired officer said that the minister had expressed his views under the fundamental right to freedom of speech guaranteed by the Constitution. Dhawan said that the reaction to those remarks was not “right or appropriate” in keeping with the dignity and traditions of what he described as the country’s premier civil service.

The IPS Officers’ Association had earlier unanimously passed a resolution expressing “deep concern and strong opposition” to statements made by Singh saying that his statement “creates an undesirable ‘us versus them’ dynamic between Himachali and non-Himachali officers”.

The resolution appealed to the state government to protect the dignity and impartiality of the civil services; to ensure no IPS officer is posted under the minister in question until the matter is resolved; and to prevent a repeat of such divisive language.

Sukhu, meanwhile, said that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had assured him that the adoption of a region-specific approach while finalising fiscal devolution, grants, and disaster management frameworks would be examined. The step would help ensure that hill states like Himachal Pradesh receive adequate support to meet their developmental needs and disaster-resilience challenges, he said.

Sukhu said Sitharaman also assured him that the state’s request for financial support by allowing additional borrowing of two per cent of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) would be considered, and so would the state of orchardists.

“I strongly raised the issue of the import of apples from New Zealand, which has adversely affected the interests of local orchardists,” he later said in a statement.

Sukhu said he raised the same issues with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, who said he would consider steps to stop apple imports during July-November, the state’s peak production season. “He further assured that the demand of hilly states not to give import duty exemption on New Zealand apples between April and August will be considered sympathetically, as these imports were negatively affecting local apple growers,” the chief minister said.

Sukhu also discussed issues related to the state’s share in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) with Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

“Issue pertaining to facilitating NoC from BBMB for allotment of land for an integrated office of the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) was also taken up, for which the Union Minister has assured to do the needful soon,” he said.

Sukhu also criticized the attack on two revenue officials when they had gone for a demarcation in Kullu district. “Nobody has the right to take the law in his hand. Strict legal action is being taken against the culprits,” he added.