Himachal Pradesh's Public Works Department Minister, Vikramaditya Singh, has launched a sharp critique against senior bureaucrats from other states. He accuses them of harming local interests and handling central government funds in an arbitrary manner.
Minister Targets Officers from Neighbouring States
On Tuesday, Vikramaditya Singh specifically pointed to Indian Administrative Service and Indian Police Service officers who originally hail from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. He claims these officials are not putting the welfare of Himachal Pradesh first. The minister demands quick action against them. He warns that their political tactics might hurt the state's development progress.
Allegations of 'Arbitrary' Spending Practices
While the minister did not reveal any names, he charged certain officers with acting like their own bosses instead of public servants. He focused on the supposed mishandling of large central allocations meant for infrastructure projects.
"If we bring funds from the Centre for Himachal — thousands of crores of rupees — it belongs to the people of the state," Vikramaditya Singh stated. "Officers have no right to distribute these funds arbitrarily, yet such 'Bandar Baant' has occurred."
The phrase "Bandar Baant" is a local term describing unfair or capricious sharing of resources. Vikramaditya Singh stressed that All-India Service officers work within a federal system allowing them to serve anywhere. However, their main responsibility lies with the specific interests of their current state assignment.
Political Consensus Emerges on the Issue
The minister's comments indicate an unusual agreement between the ruling Congress party and the opposition in the state. He mentioned how other key figures have voiced similar worries.
Jairam Thakur, the former chief minister and current opposition leader, earlier told the Vidhan Sabha that some officers were playing politics for personal benefit. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri made comparable allegations during a public rally in Mandi last month. This event marked the government's third year in office.
Minister Refuses to Name Accused Officials
Despite calls to identify the bureaucrats in question, Vikramaditya Singh insisted that "naming them publicly is not correct." He promised the public that the state government would tackle the matter through proper official routes.
"Wherever necessary, this issue will be raised with full force," he added. The minister assured that the government would safeguard state resources from bureaucratic overreach.
