Former BJP minister Bikram Thakur alleges corruption in setting up of Una solar project
Munish Sood
MANDI: The mysterious death of Chief Engineer Vimal Negi has triggered a political firestorm in Himachal Pradesh, with contradictory statements from top Congress leaders triggering another controversy even as the opposition BJP has alleged corruption in the power corporation.
While Chief Engineer Vimal Negi’s family has demanded to treat the case as murder and demanded a CBI investigation, the ruling Congress appears divided on the mode of investigation.
Himachal CM, minister rule out need for CBI probe
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi have ruled out the need for a CBI investigation claiming the victim’s family was “contended with the actions taken by the Himachal Pradesh Police”.
Himachal Pradesh Congress president Pratibha Singh, on the other hand, has suggested that a CBI probe could be ordered, if the family wished so.
The conflicting positions of the top leaders from the ruling Himachal Congress and the government were shared by a digital media house. While CM Sukhu has ruled out a CBI probe, Pratibha Singh asserted that if the victim’s family demanded it, the government was open to a CBI investigation.
Inconsistency in statements sparks debate on social media
The inconsistency has sparked widespread debate on social media, with critics questioning the Congress government’s lack of clarity.
In an attempt to address the growing demand for a fair investigation, CM Sukhu has constituted a special investigation committee under Additional Chief Secretary Omkar Sharma, directing it to submit a report within 15 days.
However, the move has failed to pacify the victim’s family, who argue that one IAS officer investigating another IAS officer did not inspire confidence in an impartial probe. The BJP has echoed these concerns, asserting that the government was allegedly shielding influential figures and obstructing a transparent investigation.
Adding to the Congress government’s troubles, senior BJP leader and former Industry Minister Bikram Singh Thakur has alleged massive financial irregularities in the state’s green energy projects.
Speaking at a press conference in Dharamshala, Bikram Thakur accused the government of misappropriating ₹500 crore, which was borrowed for promoting green energy initiatives.
He specifically questioned the cost inflation in the 32 MW Khuvela solar project in Una district, pointing out that while the Himachal government claimed the project cost was ₹220 crore, a similar 35 MW solar project in Gujarat’s Kutch was completed for just ₹146 crore.
Bikram Thakur warned that if the government failed to order a fair investigation, the BJP would raise the issue with central agencies.
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