By IANS,
Shimla : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his MP wife raised a loan from a company which benefitted from the government, former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal’s son alleged Thursday. Virbhadra Singh has denied any wrongdoing.
Arun Dhumal said the company, which is commissioning a hydropower project and is heading towards bankruptcy, was given a fifth extension by the cabinet Sep 4 for carrying out the project.
Dhumal said a personal loan of Rs.3.90 crore was raised by Virbhadra Singh and his wife Pratibha Singh, an MP from Mandi.
Dhumal provided to the media bank account numbers of Virbhadra Singh in which the money was transferred from the accounts of Vakamulla Chander Sekhar of New Delhi, whose company Venture Energy Technologies Ltd is executing a 15 MW Sai Kothi hydropower project in Chamba district.
“While granting special extension to Venture Energy Sep 4, the company was told to clear government dues of Rs.58.19 lakh within a month. But it has not deposited the money. Why the government is not canceling the project allotment as in the case other defaulting companies?” he asked. “It’s simply a case of quid pro quo.”
He said the entire cabinet was responsible for extending favours to Vakamulla. “The governor should take a note on the issue and dismiss the government immediately.”
Virbhadra Singh has clarified that “as an individual, I have every right to raise a loan”.
“There is nothing to hide. My income tax returns and the election affidavits have clearly reflected that I and my wife have raised loans. So where is the question of any wrongdoing?” he asked.
The chief minister said the Dhumals have started a malicious campaign against him since the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau booked both Dhumals – Anurag Thakur and Arun – for allegedly grabbing land near Dharamsala by forging revenue records.