"BJP sold jobs, we shut that door forever," says Himachal CM Sukhu

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 20 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday hit back at the Opposition in the Assembly, accusing the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of selling jobs and presiding over rampant corruption.
He said his government had "shut the door" on such practices and was committed to creating transparent employment opportunities.
"During the BJP's tenure, jobs were sold, and corruption was at its peak. Our government has closed that door forever. Recruitment in education and other departments is now happening in a transparent manner," Sukhu said, intervening during the discussion on unemployment and jobs on the third day of the monsoon session.
He added that the only change in contractual hiring was renaming it as "job trainee" appointments.
The Chief Minister recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised two crore jobs, while the Congress, in its election manifesto, had assured five lakh jobs for youth over five years.
"We are working to not only provide jobs within the state but also create opportunities abroad. For the first time, a separate Overseas Employment Department has been established to facilitate this," Himachal CM said.
Listing employment achievements since his government took office, CM Sukhu said thousands of youth had been appointed.
According to him, over 3,000 TGT (Arts, Medical, Non-Medical) teachers appointed, Batch-wise recruitment of JBT teachers completed, Recruitment for 982 TGT posts to begin by August 31, Process underway for 600 JBT posts, .5,000 pump operators and 2,066 meter readers appointed, Over 1,400 Geo-IT assistants and other technical staff hired. There is Ongoing recruitment for 200 medical officers, 1,200 police constables, 700 home guards and 984 patwaris.
He said "Rogi Mitra" and "Pashu Mitra" posts were also sanctioned.
CM Sukhu added that 34,000 employment opportunities were provided last year in the government and private sectors. "We are equally focused on self-employment through social media, IT and entrepreneurship," he said, adding that discussions were ongoing with ambassadors from Japan, Germany and other countries to secure overseas job placements for Himachal's youth.
Turning his guns on the Opposition, Sukhu alleged that the BJP was using the unemployment issue only to gain sympathy from the youth and disrupt Assembly proceedings. "The BJP is divided into five factions. The leadership of former chief minister Jairam Thakur is under threat. Whenever he raises his hand to speak, BJP legislators like Randhir Sharma and Bikram Thakur also stand up to speak," he said.
The Chief Minister also reiterated his claim that the Congress government had adopted a merit-based, transparent recruitment process. "In their tenure, there were only scams. We are working to give jobs to the youth. They are walking out of the House just to score political points," Sukhu remarked.
He said the state government stood as a "true partner" of the youth and pledged to create "nothing but jobs" in the coming year. (ANI)