MLA seeks CBI inquiry into setting up of hydropower project
Jaswan-Pragpur MLA Bikram Thakur today alleged that serious irregularities had taken place in the setting up of the 32 MW Pekhubela solar plant in Una. He demanded a CBI inquiry into the setting up of the project and the death of HPPCL Chief Engineer Vimal Negi.
Bikram Thakur, while addressing mediapersons here, said that the reluctance on the part of the state government to hand over the inquiry into the death of Vimal Negi to the CBI and attempts to shield the officers named in the FIR registered in the case were putting a question mark on the credibility of the government.
He said that there was a strong nexus of politicians, bureaucrats and contractors, who were hand in glove in committing irregularities for financial gains in the setting up of hydroelectric power projects. “It is not just the projects of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (HPPCL) but many other power projects where allegations of irregularities and delay in the completion of work have been levelled,” he added.
Bikram asked why the names of two IAS officers had not been mentioned in the FIR lodged in Vimal Negi’s death case and only their posts had been mentioned. “Had the government listened to the issues I had raised last year regarding the alleged irregularities in the setting up of hydroelectric power projects by the HPPCL, Vimal Negi would have been alive,” he claimed.
He said that the government could not dismiss the allegations in the setting up of power projects by simply stating that the BJP was politicising the issue. He questioned why the government was hesitating to hand over the inquiry to the CBI despite the demand from every quarter.
