Dharamsala, April 30, 2014: Senior BJP leader and the ex-chief minister of Himachal Pradesh Shanta Kumar’s dream project Vivekananda Medical Research Trust of Palampur is in the pipeline for the vigilance inquiry of the state government.
It was indicated by Sudhir Sharma, Minister of Urban Development, Himachal Pradesh here on Wednesday. He was replying to the media that when, a charge sheet has been filed against Himachal Cricket Association (HPCA), for changing the nature of the land in use and converting association to company for alleged personal benefits, why the Trust of Shanta Kumar is being spared for alleged identical break of rules. Sudhir said, “Nobody shall be spared if he breaks the law. Shanta’s Trust is also in the pipe line and if found otherwise shall be inquired by vigilance.”
The Minister said that the HPCA matter was the part of the charge sheet given to Governor against BJP rule activities, when Dhumal was the CM Himachal.
Referring to the Vivekananda Medical Research Trust of Palampur Sudhir said, “The projects of the public benefit, could not be allowed to run as private /family enterprises.”
The irregularities of the project and its conversion to benefit BJP candidate Shanta Kumar and his family was also raised recently in media by the AAP candidate of Kangra seat and ex-BJP leader Dr. Rajan Shushant. Dr. Shushant said that around 419 kanal of government land was given to Vivekananda Medical Research Trust on April 30, 1992 by the pressure of then chief minister Shanta Kumar, as the tea garden land could not be given to trust under law.
Dr. Sushant had further alleged that a land of the market value of Rs 200 crore was given on just Re 1 without asking CSIR Palampur who was the owner at the time. It was also alleged that initially the Vivekananda Medical Research Trust was comprised of senior government officers, was later converted by Shanta to adjust only himself and his relatives.
Sudhir Sharma reacting to it said that it is the similar case of alleged land misuse as that of HPCA and shall be dealt accordingly.