Shimla: (HD News); On the eighth day of the Monsoon Session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, the Opposition raised serious allegations of irregularities in the allotment of 70 shops by the APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) Shimla and Kinnaur. The Opposition demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter, accusing the government of favoritism and corruption.
During the Question Hour, BJP legislator Randhir Sharma alleged that the government allotted shops to its close aides at very low rents and later transferred officers to suppress the matter. In response, the Agriculture Minister defended the process, stating that the allotments were made strictly as per rules, and dismissed the Opposition’s allegations as baseless.
Dissatisfied with the reply, the Opposition created a ruckus in the House and staged a walkout.
Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur claimed that large-scale corruption had taken place in the shop allotment. He said that instead of ordering an inquiry, the minister was defending the allotments, while the reality was that shops were allotted to favorites at throwaway rents.
BJP MLAs Randhir Sharma and Balbir Singh Verma also alleged blatant nepotism in the process. They pointed out that at Parala vegetable market, shops were given on rent for just ₹5, 000, while ten years ago the same shops were rented out for ₹50, 000 to ₹80, 000. They accused the government of running away from an inquiry and said that if a judicial probe is ordered, the truth will come out.
The Opposition further alleged corruption not only in shop allotments but also in the Parala CA Store and Food Processing Plant. They warned that if the BJP returns to power, a thorough investigation will be carried out into these alleged irregularities.