Jai Ram Thakur questions priorities: Schools shut while ministers get offices worth crores

Shimla, August 20: Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur has raised serious concerns over the state government’s decision to shut down schools in rural areas and spend crores on building new offices for ministers. Thakur criticized the government’s apparent neglect towards education, which he considers a priority.

In a statement issued from Shimla, Thakur highlighted the plight of residents of Lahaul who have taken to the streets to protest against the school closures. He argued that instead of shutting down schools, the government should examine the reasons for low enrollment and address the underlying issues.

“On one hand, the government claims there is no budget for schools, yet it is spending recklessly on ministers’ offices and unconstitutional appointments of chief parliamentary secretaries (CPSs),” Thakur said. He asserted that the government’s priorities seem skewed, with funds readily available for ministers’ luxuries but not for essential services like education and healthcare.

Thakur also expressed concern for the children affected by the school closures, questioning how practical it is to send them to far-off schools. He urged the government to consider the difficulties these young students will face in commuting to their new schools.

Criticizing the chief minister’s approach to governance, Thakur remarked, “In a democracy, governments should take everyone along, but this administration is focused on its own interests.” He called upon the government to reconsider its decision, keeping in mind the students and their parents who are being negatively impacted.

Thakur advised the government to initiate change from within, insisting that the decision to close schools must be withdrawn to ensure that education remains accessible to all children in Himachal Pradesh.