Shimla: Opposition BJP today attacked the state government for “poor” performance and “failure” to deliver which led to heated exchanges between Agriculture Minister Sujan Singh Pathania and BJP MLA Rajiv Bindal on alleged irregularities in purchase of land by HP Power Corporation for Renuka Project in Sirmaur district.
While Bindal was speaking on the budget, Agriculture Minister Pathania accused him of alleged role in irregular land purchases at Renuka dam site during the BJP regime, inviting a strong reaction from Bindal, who dared the state government to order a probe into the charges and claimed that he was not involved in it.
Hitting back at the government, Bindal said that the government was not serious in probing the alleged irregularities in land purchases for Renuka dam which “proves that government functionaries” are mixed up with those involved in these land deals.
“You should probe the irregularities and take action against those having role instead of raising fingers at me,” he retorted.
At this juncture, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh came in defense of the minister, claiming that it may not he (Bindal) but lot of people known to him were allegedly involved in it and the government was enquiring into the matter.
Bindal also sought a probe into sale of power by the HPSEB to outsiders maintaining that while the power was sold at higher states to some state governments including UP, Haryana and Punjab, the same was sold at lower rates to a company of retired IAS officers.
Bindal also raised questions on proposal to set-up of a corporation to sell liquor under the Excise and Taxation department.
Later participating in the debate IPH Minister Vidya Stokes outlined the development priorities of the government and rejected the oppositions charge against the government .
PTI