Extension of curfew in Himachal till June 30 draws criticism

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, May 26

Himachal Government’s decision to extend the curfew in the state till June 30 has led to strong reactions from political leaders and trader organisations.

Former minister Vijai Singh Mankotia said that the decision to extend the curfew was illegal and insensitive. He said that the government had handed over the reins in Himachal to the deputy commissioners. It seemed that only the bureaucracy was ruling over the state and there was no political leadership, he said.

Mankotia said, “Bureaucrats are sitting in their ivory towers and are insensitive towards the condition of the people at ground level. If the government wants to extend the curfew in the state, it should also stop the salary of all the top bureaucrats and politicians till the curfew is lifted.”

He alleged that the bureaucrats wanted the curfew to be extended as long as possible as they were still getting full salaries, whereas the other were suffering. Besides the health department employees and police department, salaries of all government employees, especially the top bureaucrats, and politicians should be stopped, he said. Their salary should be used to help those who have lost their livelihood due to coronavirus pandemic, Mankotia said.

Mankotia said many small traders and self-employed people have been approaching him and complaining regarding insensitivity of the government towards their problems. If the government did not ease the curfew conditions, Mankotia threatened to launch an agitation.