Mafia raj began under Dhumal regime, says Virbhadra

Una, March 20

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said the mafia raj began during the Prem Kumar Dhumal-led BJP government, adding it was absent during the tenure of Shanta Kumar as the CM. He was addressing a public gathering at Gagret in Una district.

The CM said the state government had launched a major offensive to fight drug menace in the state. He said the BJP was merely trying to mislead people on non-issues and divert attention from the development agenda. Taking a jibe, the CM said the BJP also promoted cricket mafia, which was clamped by the intervention of the Supreme Court.

Virbhadra Singh alleged that MP Anurag Thakur and other BJP leaders in the state were provoking the Centre to stop the flow of funds for Swan River Tributaries Flood Management Project worth Rs 922 crore.

He said the state government had granted Rs 300 crore for the project whereas the Centre was yet to provide the remaining 70 per cent grant for the project.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh also announced to create sub-tehsil at Kaloh, water supply scheme for Daulatpur Chowk and upgrade Gagret Community Health Centre to Civil Hospital. He also sanctioned funds for 60 hand pumps in the segment.

Earlier, Virbhadra Singh laid the foundation stone for augmentation of three drinking water schemes at Marwadi, Dharamsala Mahantan and Oel panchayats at a cost of Rs 13.2 crores and science block building at the Government School in Ghanari for Rs 1.17 crores.

Irrigation and Public Health Minister Vidya Stokes and Industries Minister Mukesh Agnihotri also accompanied Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh during his visit.