Sukhu Government Under Fire

---

Since Congress swept to power in Himachal Pradesh in late 2022 under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the regime has faced mounting criticism on multiple fronts. Accusations include ballooning debt, unfulfilled election guarantees, policy missteps, and administrative stagnation. As of mid-2025, there is visible public frustration, with concerns spanning infrastructure, employment, fiscal health, disaster management, and public services. This report offers a sector-by-sector critique of the government’s performance based on data, public statements, and actions during its term so far.

By mid-2024, Himachal’s economy was showing signs of serious distress. Official data pointed to a debt of over ₹90,000 crore, with a revenue deficit of around 2.6% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). In September 2024, over 3.5 lakh government employees and pensioners faced delayed salaries as the state treasury ran dry. The government responded by suspending certain subsidies, including the widely availed scheme of 125 units of free electricity for domestic users.

The fiscal pressure was exacerbated by the devastation of the 2023 monsoon, which caused losses estimated between ₹8,000–10,000 crore. The revival of the Old Pension Scheme also added substantial financial burden. The state has reportedly borrowed over ₹30,000 crore since assuming office, much of it used for repayment of existing debt.

Opposition leaders alleged mismanagement and corruption, accusing the government of squandering central grants and reversing its own promises. The Congress government, on its part, cited historical misgovernance and national economic trends for its current predicament, claiming their hands were tied by past liabilities.

The monsoon disasters of 2023 and 2024 exposed glaring inadequacies in infrastructure resilience and disaster preparedness. Dozens of people lost their lives, roads and bridges were washed away, and thousands of residents were left stranded for weeks.

Many infrastructure projects remain in limbo. Despite announcements of rebuilding and highway development, a large number of roads and bridges damaged during the floods remain unrestored. Local authorities confirmed that emergency repairs were largely temporary, and critical routes in rural belts are yet to be made operational.

Government claims of allocating ₹4,500 crore for post-flood relief are countered by local representatives who argue that much of the central aid demanded has yet to arrive. Critics also link infrastructure failure to environmental negligence, citing unchecked dumping of debris and unregulated construction as factors worsening natural disasters.

Perhaps the most contentious issue has been the promise of employment. The Congress had committed to creating one lakh jobs in its first year. As of early 2025, the government claims it has created 42,000 jobs; however, these numbers are disputed, with many arguing that most of the recruitment was contractual, outsourced, or temporary.

A major flashpoint was the police recruitment examination of 2025, which was marred by a widespread cheating scandal. Video evidence showed candidates using mobile phones during the exam. Despite arrests, opposition leaders demanded a special investigation team and accused the administration of facilitating malpractice.

In the education sector, thousands of vacancies in teaching positions remain unfilled. The government reintroduced a guest teacher policy, which triggered protests by qualified but unemployed educators who felt betrayed by the move.

Healthcare delivery under the Sukhu government has also faced scrutiny. Multiple hospitals across the state are functioning without essential staff or equipment. Civil hospitals in several districts have vacant posts for doctors, nurses, and technicians, with core diagnostic services like ultrasound and X-ray being non-functional.

Public complaints about the scrapping of earlier health insurance schemes have also grown louder. Pensioners, too, have staged protests over delays in the release of arrears under the Sixth Pay Commission. While the government blamed financial constraints, many elderly citizens alleged neglect and indifference.

Environmental groups and farmers have raised serious concerns about the government’s treatment of traditional land rights and ecological safeguards. In 2025, large-scale protests erupted against the eviction of apple orchardists and tribal communities from forest land. Protestors demanded enforcement of the Forest Rights Act and called for fair compensation for land acquisition.

Environmental activists further alleged that government orders undermined conservation laws and delayed implementation of policies designed to protect forest-dependent communities. Many residents of the tribal belts and rural areas believe the government is prioritizing commercial development over traditional livelihoods.

Meanwhile, damage from climate events continues to mount. Flash floods, landslides, and riverbank erosion have caused massive losses. Experts argue that poor enforcement of environmental norms and unregulated construction contributed to these disasters.

Allegations of political bias and mishandling of law-and-order situations have also tarnished the administration's image. High-profile cases — including cheating scams, communal flare-ups, and the murder of a sitting legislator — have been cited as examples of deteriorating governance.

The government's response to several communal incidents was viewed as lackadaisical, with critics accusing it of silence or selective action. Additionally, the opposition accused the government of misusing police machinery to harass its own party workers under flimsy charges.

Even minor incidents became politically explosive. In one case, the alleged misappropriation of food meant for a government event led to internal inquiries and media ridicule, further damaging public perception of administrative seriousness.

In early 2025, the government claimed to have fulfilled six out of ten major electoral promises. However, many high-profile pledges — including ₹1,500 monthly financial assistance to women, universal employment, and free electricity and water — remain either partially implemented or entirely shelved.

Job creation has fallen short of expectations. Hospital and school improvements have been minimal. Public discontent continues to simmer over the rising cost of living and cuts to welfare subsidies.

In summary, the Sukhu-led Congress government in Himachal Pradesh has struggled to deliver on many of its commitments amidst fiscal constraints and recurring natural disasters. Critics point to delayed salaries, failing infrastructure, questionable recruitment processes, and inadequate disaster response as indicators of administrative failure. Supporters argue that the government inherited a fragile system and deserves credit for its limited but real initiatives.

As the next election approaches, the electorate will ultimately decide whether the Sukhu government’s explanations hold weight — or whether its perceived inaction and unmet promises warrant a change in leadership.