No re-employment for ‘tired & retired’ officials, Jai Ram Thakur says

SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh chief minister-designate Jai Ram Thakur on Monday said "tired and retired" officials re-employed by the previous Congress regime will be asked to leave immediately after his government is formed.
Former CM Virbhadra Singh had re-appointed many retired officials and the BJP at that time had questioned his government's decision, alleging that "tired and retired" people were running the Himachal administration.

Thakur, who will be the first leader from Mandi to head the administration in Himachal, said he is finalising the names for his cabinet. "New cabinet will have experienced leaders and some new faces," he said.

In his first media interaction after his election as the leader of the BJP Legislature Party, Thakur said no extension would be given to government employees on verge of retirement and no retired officials would be re-appointed. "Decision on those in re-employment or extension would be taken on December 27 after the oath-taking ceremony," Thakur said.

Voters in Himachal Pradesh, Thakur said, have brought the BJP to power and now living up to the expectations of people would be the priority of his government.

"No stone would be left unturned to fulfill the expectations of people for which they have voted the BJP to power with an overwhelming majority," he added.

Thakur said his government will be open to healthy criticism and suggestions to ensure proper development of Himachal Pradesh and to ensure good governance. "Whenever you see that something is not going in right direction, you should bring it to our notice immediately and we will rectify it. I will remain open to criticism and suggestions for the betterment of our state," the CM-designate said.

Efforts would be made to end the VIP culture, Thakur said, adding that appointments of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of different boards and corporations would be made only on need-to basis.

Accusing the Congress government of failing to implement Central-sponsored schemes effectively in the state, Thakur said: "The previous regime had failed to effectively implement the Centrally-sponsored schemes due to which state could not get desired benefits. Effective implementation of central schemes will be the priority of my new government."

In Himachal Pradesh, respective governments have been accused by party in the opposition of vendetta politics. Thakur said no such trend will continue. "Allegations in the charge sheet prepared by the BJP will be handed over for a proper investigation, but there will be no vendetta politics," he said.