Theog MLA demands probe into Rs 1,134-cr horticulture project
Kuldeep Rathore, the AICC spokesperson and Congress MLA from the Theog Assembly Constituency, has demanded an investigation into the Rs 1,134 crore World Bank-aided Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Development Project (HP HDP) that concluded last year. “The money was not spent as per the agreement and the state has not benefitted from the project. I am seeking investigation into how the project money was spent,” Rathore said while addressing a press conference here today.
World Bank officials, however, have praised the implementation of the project after the disastrous start, calling it a model project which it would showcase in rest of the world.
Dwelling on the challenges the apple growers of the state are facing, Rathore slammed Prime Minister Modi for failing to impose 100 per cent import duty on US apples during his visit to the US. “Imported apple has severely impacted the livelihood of apple growers in the state but the PM is not raising the import duty despite having promised to do so,” said Rathore.
The AICC spokesperson also lambasted the US President for deporting Indian immigrants, who had entered the country illegally, in handcuffs on a military plane. “The immigrants from Russia and China were not neither sent in military planes, nor they were handcuffed. Why were then Indian immigrants sent handcuffed in a military plane?” he asked. He also criticised the US for allegedly attempting to influence India’s democracy by providing $21 million for enhancing voter turnout. The Congress leader further expressed concerns about the integrity of the country’s s electoral process.
