Corruption rampant in power sector, says LoP

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur today alleged that the state government was in talks with some companies of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka for implementing the projects which it has decided to take back from Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVN) and National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC). While talking to mediapersons at the BJP headquarters on the occasion of the foundation day of the BJP, Thakur said that these projects were given to reputed companies like SJVN and NHPC as no one was ready to implement these projects.

Alleging that corruption was rampant in power projects, Thakur claimed that Vimal Negi, the Chief Engineer with Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), died due to corruption. “The family has taken out a candle march demanding a CBI inquiry into the matter. The government, however, is trying to cover up the matter,” he alleged. Thakur also criticised the government for raising the minimum bus fare from Rs 5 to Rs 10. “Now, one will have to pay Rs 10 once you board the bus, whether you travel even 1 km,” he said.

Meanwhile, state BJP president Rajeev Bindal congratulated party workers on the party’s foundation day. “The BJP is the only political party that is worker-based, where the nation comes first, and the party and individual come last,” he said, adding that most other parties were led by families.

Bindal asserted that the BJP’s contribution to the nation, welfare of the poor, and the uplift of farmers was unparalleled. “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has lifted 25 crore people out of poverty in 10 years. It has provided clean drinking water to 14 crore households, toilets for 12 crore poor people, permanent homes for four crore poor people and given Rs 6,000 annually to 9.5 crore farmers under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme,” said Bindal.

Himachal Tribune