SHIMLA, July 17, 2025
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s contradictory statements on the recent forest eviction drive have left many puzzled.
Speaking to the media on his return from Delhi, Sukhu claimed the High Court did not heed the state government's plea regarding eviction of apple growers and forest dwellers — even as court records show the Advocate General had clearly informed the bench that “the state has no policy and no intention to bring a policy for regularisation” during the hearing last week.
Despite this official position, Sukhu insisted the state government was trying to protect small and marginal farmers and may even approach the Supreme Court.
"The court isn’t listening to our concerns," he said, in what many see as an attempt to distance the government from its own legal stance.
Contradiction Sparks Questions
The Chief Minister’s remarks came across as evasive. On one hand, the state admitted in court it had no plan to regularise encroachments.
On the other, the CM now says he will fight for the same farmers in the Supreme Court. The contradiction has triggered political and legal confusion — and criticism from both sides of the aisle.
Long Speech, Scattered Focus
In a marathon briefing that sprawled from legal battles to central funding and road projects, Sukhu tried to paint a larger picture of his government’s efforts — citing wins in old legal battles like the Wildflower Hall hotel lease and Karcham Wangtoo hydro project revenue issues.
“We’re now getting crores in monthly revenue where previous governments failed,” he said, while referencing the Oberoi lease renegotiation and recovery of 18% electricity share from a private power company.
He also recounted his interactions with key ministers in Delhi — from Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to Nitin Gadkari and JP Nadda — seeking relief for flood-affected families, fast-tracking tunnel and highway projects, and securing loans under externally aided projects.
Disaster Relief and Forest Land Hurdles
The Chief Minister said he urged the Centre to ease Forest Act restrictions so displaced families with no land left due to landslides can be resettled.
"We told them, give us permission to use forest land under the Van (Forest) Act so we can rehabilitate those with less than five bighas of land swept away."
He admitted the process of getting clearances under EAP (Externally Aided Projects) and from bodies like NITI Aayog is slow and bureaucratic. “We told them to allow us special relaxation so we can use the funds urgently for rebuilding,” Sukhu said.
Tunnels, Roads, and DPRs Galore
Sukhu also pushed for tunnel projects to reduce travel time from Pathankot to Kullu, road realignments near Shimla, and early completion of the Pinjore-Nalagarh stretch.
He stressed that local engineers should be involved in DPR (Detailed Project Report) preparation to avoid unnecessary damage to homes and hills by outside contractors.
Politics or Policy Paralysis?
The Chief Minister's long-winded address was packed with announcements, past victories, and promises — but the core issue that has Himachal’s apple belt burning remains unresolved: the state's ambiguous stand on eviction and regularisation.
On one hand, Sukhu is pitching himself as a saviour of small orchardists. On the other, his legal team disowned any policy shift in court. With more evictions looming, and High Court orders being strictly enforced, the government’s real intentions remain unclear.
For now, Sukhu seems to be walking a tightrope — balancing between judicial constraints, legal admissions, and populist messaging. Whether this results in relief for affected farmers or deepens the policy paralysis, only time will tell.
For more on this story and exclusive updates from the apple belts of Kotkhai and Kumarsain, stay with Himbumail.com.
