SHIMLA: Politics has intensified in Himachal Pradesh after a viral statement by Industry Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, in which he claimed to have secured jobs for 700 people from his assembly constituency on the basis of recommendation.
While the minister defended his statement, saying he did nothing wrong and that all appointments followed established procedures under the outsource system, the opposition BJP has termed it a case of “backdoor recruitment” and demanded an impartial probe.
According to a media report Harshwardhan Chauhan clarified that there is no interview process involved in outsource recruitment, adding that this system was also operational during the previous BJP regime. According to him, ministers in the previous BJP government had similarly secured employment for youth in their respective areas through outsourcing. He questioned what was wrong if he did the same for the youth of his own constituency.
“If ministers and MLAs of the previous BJP government failed to secure jobs for the people of their areas in this manner, it is their failure,” Chauhan said.
The minister pointed out that his assembly segment comprises several backward and remote areas where numerous posts had remained vacant for a long time, leading to a higher number of outsource appointments there.
Providing a breakdown of the hirings, Chauhan said about 85 appointments were made in schools, while around 67 people got employment through outsourcing in the Jal Shakti Department. Outsource appointments were also made for yoga instructors, ayurvedic dispensaries, and other departments. He emphasized that all outsource posts are filled with cabinet approval and under prescribed procedures.
The Industry Minister said it is a matter of pride and happiness for him that the youth of his constituency got employment. He stated flatly that if outsource posts open up in his constituency in the future, he will continue to make efforts to secure employment for local youth.
“I am accountable to the people who elected me and sent me to the assembly. If the youth of my area get employment, what is wrong with that? In fact, BJP leaders should congratulate me,” he said.
Chauhan added that instead of leveling allegations, the BJP should congratulate him for helping nearly 700 youth from backward and remote areas find employment.
Meanwhile, senior BJP MLA and former industry minister Bikram Thakur raised serious questions over Chauhan’s remarks.
Thakur said that a minister publically admitting to securing jobs for 700 people from his own area is a highly serious matter. He alleged that if these appointments were made through a minister’s recommendation or influence, it points to backdoor recruitment. The BJP leader has demanded a fair and transparent investigation into the entire matter from the government.
