BJP targets govt over Chief Engineer Negi’s death, stages walkout

The Congress and BJP legislators had heated exchanges over the death of Vimal Negi, Chief Engineer, Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), in the Assembly here today. Not satisfied with the action taken by the government, the BJP legislators walked out of the House, demanding a CBI probe into the matter.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and his fellow ministers accused the BJP of trying to politicise the matter and said that appropriate action had been taken in the matter. “The bereaved family is satisfied with the government action. Only the BJP is not satisfied because it wants to politicise the issue,” said Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi. After Vimal Negi’s family and colleagues blocked road till late yesterday evening, the government suspended Director (Electricals) Desh Raj and transferred Managing Director Harikesh Meena from the HPPCL. An FIR for abetment to commit suicide was also registered against Desh Raj and Meena. Another FIR was also registered against the Director (Personnel) later.

Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur moved an adjournment motion under Rule 67 for a discussion on Negi’s death but Speaker Kuldeep Pathania rejected it on the grounds that the government had already taken action in the matter. Thakur asked the government why just one official had been suspended when the family was demanding action against the HPPCL MD as well. “We have been told that Negi was under a lot of pressure at his workplace and was often humiliated. We need to find out why he was under so much pressure? Also, why Desh Raj was made Director (Electricals) superseding five officers. There are several questions and it would be appropriate for the government to order a CBI inquiry,” he said.

Thakur also questioned the functioning of the HPPCL and the projects it was implementing — the Shongtong hydroelectric project in Kinnaur and the Pekhubela solar project in Una district. “There are many question marks on these two projects. A fair and impartial probe by the CBI will bring out the truth,” he added.

Naina Devi MLA Randhir Sharma sought clarification as to why the name of the MD wasn’t mentioned in the FIR. “The FIR mentions the name of Desh Raj with his post but Meena’s name has not been mentioned. Only his post is mentioned. It’s fishy because when the FIR was lodged, Meena wasn’t the MD as he had already been transferred,” he said.

The Speaker took note of the point raised by Sharma and said that the House had taken cognizance of it. Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan accused the BJP of adding fuel to fire and politicising the issue. “Action has been taken as per the wishes of Vimal Negi’s family. It’s a sensitive issue and the BJP should refrain from giving it a political colour,” he added.

Sukhu accused the BJP of distorting the issue and said that an inquiry had been ordered into the matter and further action would be taken as and when a report was submitted. “An officer has been suspended and another has been sent on leave. The BJP, when it was in power, did not even register an FIR for four days after seven people died in a hooch tragedy in Sundernagar,” Sukhu said, as the BJP legislators walked out of the House.