Tribune News Service
Shimla, May 28

The CLP leader and former Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, today lambasted the BJP government headed by Mr P.K. Dhumal for reducing the tribal sub-plan to 8 per cent from the earlier 9 per-cent, causing a loss of Rs 6.65 crore to Lahaul-Spiti district every year.

Mr Virbhadra Singh, who was addressing farmer’ rally at Keylong in the tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti, said the previous Congress government provided 9 per cent tribal sub-plan for the development of the area, but the present BJP government reduced it.

Mr Virbhadra Singh was given a rousing reception on his arrival in the district. He was accompanied by Thakur Kaul Singh, MLA and former Speaker.

The former Chief Minister, who is touring the remote tribal areas, accused the BJP government of being anti-Himachali and anti-employees. It had failed to protect the interests of the weaker sections and the tribal areas, he alleged.

He alleged that corruption was rampant and the office of Chief Minister had become a fountain head of corruption. Although the state was facing an acute financial crisis, but funds were being diverted to unproductive expenditure and nepotism was being encouraged. As a result of faulty economic policies and fiscal mismanagement, the state had been pushed to the brink of financial bankruptcy.

Thakur Kaul Singh accused the Dhumal government of selling the interests of Himachal Pradesh and said that the tribal and backward areas were suffering because of shortage of staff in schools and health institutions.