Shimla, Aug. 21 -- Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president and Member of Parliament (MP) Suresh Kashyap, lashed out at Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led state government and said that the government needs to reduce the 'army of friends', not officers.

"Instead of reducing the cadre of IAS and IPS officers, the CM should reduce the cadre of his 'friends'. Officers have a crucial role in administration and the development of the state. The government should cut unnecessary political appointments and wasteful expenditure rather than weakening the administrative structure," said Kashyap while questioning the state government's move to reduce the cadre strength of IAS, IPS and other All India Service officers in Himachal Pradesh.

Kashya...