Himachal Pradesh Congress General Secretary Ram Lal Thakur accused Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) president Anurag Thakur for irregularities in securing land for the five-star hotel.
In a press conference at Shimla, Thakur raises doubts over the five-star hotel ‘The Pavilion’ construction. Congress leader relinquished Anurag Thakur justification that HPCA had to build a five-star hotel as it was needed for promoting cricket and said that if it was that, then the government should have invited bids from companies for setting up the project.
Supported by the documents related to the HPCA about its entity, obtained under RTI, Ram Lal Thakur accused Anurag Thakur for hijacking the HPCA, registered under the Societies Act, by replacing its constitution in which the president was made the sole proprietor and his decision was final.
Congress leader claim that earlier, there were 24 members of the association, two from each district, but he inducted another 26 life members, all nominated, with voting rights making a mockery of the sports body.
Ram Lal Thakur also accused former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal for giving undue favor for his MP son and allotted huge chuck of land to HPCA. He said the Congress government had promised to act against land mafia during the Assembly poll campaign and it had the public mandate against all shady deals.
However, leader of opposition Prem Kumar Dhumal has questioned the registration of a second FIR against the HPCA in a land lease case for the construction of a luxury hotel in Dharamsala by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, despite the case being sub-judice.
Dhumal accused certain officers in the state government who had been trying to mislead the government by suggesting such actions to settle scores with their colleagues and a second FIR had been registered without the sanction of the state government.
Leader of opposition asked the Congress led state government to conduct an impartial inquiry in the matter and action should be taken against the erring officers.
