The opposition BJP on Wednesday tried to corner the Himachal Pradesh government on the issue of allotment of shops in Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Parala Mandi market yard and other places in Shimla district.
Naina Devi MLA Randhir Sharma speaking in Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday accused the APMC for allegedly auctioning the shops in Parala Mandi market yard at lower prices than the price auctioned ten years ago.
Sharma alleged , “The APMC allotted 70 shops by APMC as the shops were auctioned for an amount of Rs 50000 per shops when the same were auctioned for Ra 83000 per shop ten years ago; though 133 applications were received for the allotment but only applications of those persons, who were allotted were kept and all other applications were rejected .”
Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar in his reply said, “ Applications were invited for allotment of 34 shops at Prala, 28 at Shilaru and 8 at Totu and all eligible persons were allotted the shops as per norms: ; an inquiry was also ordered to investigate the allegations of irregularities but nothing improper was found .”
However, not satisfied with the reply of the government opposition, BJP staged a walkout raising slogans against the government.
The Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thalkur said , “ The present Sukhu government helped their favourites by rejecting applications of all others except 70 those allotted the shops at a price of Rs 53000 while the same were allotted for Rs 83000 ten years ago.”
Thakur charged, “The interests of the state are being ignored to benefit their favourites and the APMC, which is supposed to protect the interests of farmers and growers and orchardists, is protecting the interests of businessmen.”
