Munish Sood
Mandi
Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Saturday questioned the state government’s response to alleged large-scale irregularities in the Chester Hills project, calling for greater transparency and accountability.
In a statement issued from Mandi, Thakur criticized Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu over what he described as “selective action,” alleging that minor issues have seen swift intervention while serious allegations involving over ₹1,500 crore remain unaddressed.
Concerns Over Administrative Handling
Thakur raised questions about the role of senior bureaucrats, alleging administrative discord and possible overreach beyond constitutional and legal jurisdiction in handling the matter. He said the public deserves clarity on decision-making processes and accountability at the highest levels.
Inquiry Findings Under Scrutiny
Referring to media reports and preliminary inquiries, Thakur stated that multiple investigations pointed to violations of Section 118 of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act. He noted that the Tehsildar conducted two inquiries, both reportedly flagging violations, while a detailed probe by the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Solan, involved hearings and document verification before raising key concerns.
He argued that based on these findings, action should have been taken at the district level instead of forwarding the matter to the state secretariat.
Financial and Procedural Questions
Thakur also flagged concerns over the financial profile of the landowner, citing reports that indicate relatively low declared income compared to the scale of construction activity. He further alleged that external entities linked to earlier project developments facilitated financial arrangements, raising potential legal issues.
Questioning administrative procedure, he said the District Magistrate had the authority to act on the findings and that escalation to higher authorities appeared unnecessary.
Alleged Environmental Violations
The opposition leader also highlighted reported environmental concerns, including illegal dumping that allegedly disrupted natural water sources and construction beyond permitted height limits despite earlier regulatory orders.
Call for Accountability
Thakur called for a comprehensive and transparent review of the matter, stating that the people of Himachal Pradesh expect timely action where violations are established. He emphasized the need for adherence to legal procedures and institutional accountability.
The state government has yet to respond in detail to the allegations.
