Govt removes HPPCL Director

The state government has removed Shivam Pratap Singh from the post of Director (Personnel and Finance), Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL). Shivam was also named in the FIR in Chief Engineer Vimal Negi’s death case along with Harikesh Meena and Deshraj, former MD and Director (Electricals), respectively, of the corporation.

While Meena and Desh Raj were shunted out from the corporation immediately after Negi’s death, the authorities have taken considerable time to remove Shivam. HPPCL and HPSEBL employees had been seeking Shivam’s ouster from the corporation to ensure a fair probe into Negi’s death.

Naresh Thakur, Secretary, State Transport Authority, has been given the additional charge of Director, (Personnel and Finance), HPPCL.

Meanwhile, the government and the BJP continued to trade charges over Negi’s death. The BJP is seeking a CBI probe into the case on the ground that alleged corruption in power projects, especially the Pekhubela solar power project, could be the reason behind Negi’s death.