Land deals trending on social media
Huge chunks of land purchased in Kangra district by the family of a senior leader of the ruling party in Himachal, who is also part of government, has been trending on social media. Sources here said that mutation of some properties being purchased by the leader have been put on hold after the intervention of the Chief Minister’s office. The properties purchased by the leader are likely to create a political storm. The opposition leaders have also been gathering information regarding the land deals. Sources here said that the issue is likely to cause an embarrassment to the current government in the coming days.
Ruling party embarrassed
BJP’s senior leaders might be asserting that they will not allow China to encroach upon their land but the party was caught unawares when its own one-bigha land at Samlech in Solan was sold to someone else by the land owner. Bought after paying Rs 90 lakh for constructing its party office, the re-sale of this land has left the ruling party embarrassed much to the chagrin of the senior leaders. Though an FIR has been registered for cheating and breach of trust, it has opened a Pandora’s box with rival factions alleging that its own workers had made the most of it, first in its sale and then its re-sale. Whatever be the reality, the party with a difference has literally shown how different it was.
Govt in a fix over MLA fund
Following outbreak of Covid pandemic, the Himachal government had imposed 30 per cent cut in the salaries and allowances of ministers and MLAs and also suspended the MLA Local Area Development Fund for two years on the pattern of the Central government. There was no reaction when the decision was taken by the government in early April but now a large number of MLAs want the fund to be restored. While the Congress MLAs have openly demanded restoration of funds, there are murmurs of discontent in the BJP camp also. Uncertainty, however, looms large over restoration of the fund as the Chief Minister is non-committal.
