Scams disrupt Himachal Assembly

Cong continues to boycott minister facing allegations

Accusations of graft and scams have been creating an impasse in the budget session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, with the opposition Congress continuing to boycott a minister facing allegations of corruption.

The Congress has been boycotting Health Minister Rajeev Bindal in the Assembly since March 20 over allegations of corruption.

Corruption allegations have dogged many projects like the distribution of subsidised pulses worth Rs 180 crore annually, the allotment of India's largest hydropower project in the private sector, the distribution of CFLs to 16.5 lakh households and the scheme to provide free school uniforms to over 900,000 students,"The chief minister should order a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) probe to know how the companies managed to get the hydropower project without competitive bidding. It's a scam running into thousands of crores, which may eventually turn into lakhs of crores," said G S Bali, Congress legislator, in the Assembly.

"Jaypee Karcham Hydro Corp Ltd has been allowed to generate 1,000 MW but as per our information, it can generate up to 1,400 MW (due to over-design in its structure).
“It has been extended undue concessions and benefits by the government. This needs to be probed," he added.

Bali alleged Jaypee "is not allowing government functionaries to inspect the project".
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said a technical committee has already been set up to look into all the aspects, including enhanced generation capacity.

The chief minister in turn blamed the previous Congress government for granting extension to the company.

 "If you are demanding a CBI probe, make a demand in writing. I will accept it," said Dhumal.

Heated exchanges were also witnessed between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress over alleged lapses in the distribution of subsidised pulses.

‘Tender altered’

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Ramesh Dhawala admitted that certain conditions in the tender were illegally altered to curtail competition.

A case has been registered and two officials have been suspended.

Denying any irregularities in the implementation of the Rs 60-crore Atal school uniform scheme for schoolchildren, Dhumal assured the house the entire process for procurement of uniforms was transparent.