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Time of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Himachal Pradesh CM distributes land ownership rights to 25 people in Kinnaur
SHIMLA: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday distributed land ownership certificates to 25 beneficiaries in Kalpa block of Kinnaur district. The certificates were distributed under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, which have been pending for many years. He said that under the Act, land leases have already been allotted to 460 individuals across the state. Addressing a gathering in Kalpa, he stated that, for the first time in 75 years, Shipki-la was being opened to tourists who can now visit the mountain pass simply by carrying an AADHAR card and token. "This will give an added boost to the local economy and promote tourism in border areas, thus creating employment opportunities for the youth," he said. On the occasion, the CM also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various development projects, including the Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex, a youth hostel and an indoor stadium, in the Kinnaur Assembly Constituency. Addressing the issue of the Vimal Negi case, Sukhu accused the opposition of politicising the matter and assured that the state government stands with the Negi family and the guilty will be brought to justice. He announced that under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi, women across all blocks of the district would be given Rs 1,500. He also announced the opening of CBSE-affiliated schools in four blocks of Kinnaur and visited the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), where he gave Rs 100,000 to five women's groups to assist them in purchasing essentials.
India Gazette
09-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Himachal: CM awards land ownership certificates to 25 Kalpa block residents of Kinnaur district
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 9 (ANI): In a significant step towards recognising and formalising land rights for local communities, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has presented 25 beneficiaries from the Kalpa block in Kinnaur district with land ownership certificates in accordance with the Forest Rights Act of 2006. These certificates had been pending for several years. According to a release, the Chief Minister said that land leases have already been allotted to 460 individuals across the state under the Forest Rights Act. Addressing a gathering at Kalpa, he stated that, for the first time in 75 years, Shipki-la was being opened to tourists who can now visit Shipki-la simply by carrying an AADHAR card and token. It will boost the local economy and promote tourism in border areas, thus creating employment opportunities for the youth. He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for various development projects worth Rs 48 crore in the Kinnaur Assembly Constituency. The foundation stone of the auditorium at DIET at Reckong-Peo is to cost rupees eight crore, Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex at Kalpa is to cost Rs 29.88 crore, and the inauguration of the youth hostel at Kalpa, constructed for Rs 10.60 crore, as per the release. Criticising the previous government, he alleged that public funds were misused, which should have instead been spent on the welfare of the farmers, horticulturists, and the last man in the row. He added that large plots of land were handed over to big industrialists at throwaway prices, and huge subsidies were given for electricity. The Una Bulk Drug Park project, for which Rs 50 crore was allocated by the Centre, was returned, as the state government will now take up its work on its own to safeguard state interests, he stated. He claimed that the BJP government received liberal grants of about Rs68,000 crore from the Centre in the form of GST compensation and revenue deficit grants, but 'instead of repaying the debts and clearing the liabilities, it utilised the funds on freebies.' Additionally, about Rs 9,000 crore under the NPS had yet to be released. However, the Congress government has saved Rs 3000 crore by plugging corruption loopholes, the CM said. He said that despite losses worth Rs 10,000 crore due to natural disasters, the Centre has not provided any financial aid. Still, the state government released a special relief package of Rs. 4,500 crore from its resources to assist those affected. The Chief Minister emphasised that his government will make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant by 2027. He also addressed the Vimal Negi case, accusing the opposition of playing politics over it. He assured that the government would stand with the family of Vimal Negi and that the guilty would be brought to justice. Vimal Negi, an engineer with the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), went missing on March 10, and his body was recovered from Bhakra Dam in Bilaspur on March 18. He had joined the corporation on June 15, 2024 and was reportedly under stress. The CM announced that under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi, women across all blocks of Kinnaur district will be given the benefit in a phased manner. The Chief Minister stated that the government plans to create 25,000 jobs in this financial year and has committed to creating five lakh employment opportunities over five years. Under the Mukhya Mantri Sukh Aashray Yojana, orphaned children have been given the status 'Children of the State', and the government is covering their education expenses. Similarly, the state bears the education expenses of widowed children under the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana. He announced a new scheme to ensure medical check-ups for seniors above 70 at their doorstep. Additionally, Rs 100 crore is spent to provide modern medical equipment in government medical colleges. The Chief Minister also announced the opening of CBSE-affiliated schools in four blocks of Kinnaur. Further announcements included Rs 10 crore for the sports complex, Rs 10 crore for an indoor stadium, and plans to develop four schools as day-boarding institutions. Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for launching several developmental works in the Kinnaur constituency. He said the state's overall development was progressing under the Chief Minister's leadership. The Chief Minister announced Rs 10,000 for the local women's team to promote sports among youth and encourage them to avoid substance abuse. The Chief Minister also visited the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), where he gave Rs 100,000 to five women's groups to assist them in purchasing essentials. He also released the annual magazine 'Narkasang', brought out by the DIET. (ANI)
Indian Express
04-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
HPPCL chief engineer death case: Shimla SP moves HC against CBI probe order, says ‘my professional integrity has been tarnished'
Feeling 'aggrieved and dissatisfied' as his professional integrity was 'tarnished' by the May 23 order of the single bench of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, transferring the probe into HPPCL chief engineer Vimal Negi's death case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Shimla Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjeev Gandhi has moved a Letter Patent Appeal (LPA) against the order and sought an HC-monitored probe by the state police's Special Investigation Team (SIT). The LPA will come up for a hearing on June 5. Gandhi stated, 'The LPA appeal is being filed in personal capacity being aggrieved on account of the opinion, findings derived on the basis of affidavits of the respondents, specifically respondent number 3 (DGP) in the petition whereby the impugned judgement was passed by the single judge bench. Applicant feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the judgement dated May 23 begs to prefer the present LPA on the following amongst other grounds, the professional integrity has been tarnished, thereby findings are such SIT-2 held erroneous for ill-founded reasons facts qua such were misrepresented in such manner caused grave injustice, needs to be redressed urgently, in the impugned judgment arbitrarily assumed the suspicion about the professional integrity thereon adverse findings affected the reputation, so much so under particular design being targeted personally, there are well-founded reasons, if not redressed every likelihood of being falsely implication, penalization the remarks in the impugned judgement are unfair caused immense damage to the reputation, professional integrity as well…' Gandhi, thus, prayed, '…the LPA kindly be allowed and the impugned judgment May 23 kindly to be ordered to modified to the extent that instead of handing over the probe to CBI the same may very be kindly be ordered to be handed over to any Special Investigation Team being constituted by the honourable Himachal Pradesh high court rather handing over the CBI or any central agency which is under the control of Union of India, in order to avoid any conflict of interest…' Gandhi further stated, 'The affidavit filed by the then director general of police (DGP) Atul Verma was 'ulteriorly motivated'; therefore, the scathing observation qua the investigation based upon the said affidavit may also be very kindly set aside.' The LPA further states, 'It is pertinent to mention the incident of gas blast in the middle Bazaar Himachal Rasaoi Restaurant. This was an incident qua LPG gas blast, but in a very shocking manner, the then DGP Himachal Pradesh and officers who remained on the central deputation called the teams of National Security Guard (NSG). The NSG affirmed the presence of RDX in the above-mentioned blast. So much so, the then DGP Himachal issued a letter dated August 10, 2023, mentioning the action: SP Shimla and Shimla police on the border for criminal conspiracy and to destroy the evidence. This was affirmative action on the part of the then DGP and other officers, who are still serving in the police headquarters, to implicate the officers of Shimla police, including the applicant.' The LPA further states, 'The above-mentioned facts ipso facto qua the ill-will and malignant proclivities towards the applicant (Sanjeev Gandhi) to which extent harboured by the superior officers, such engagement of the central forces.' Gandhi, a 1992-batch IPS officer, filed the LPA in his personal capacity on Monday, and it was accepted for listing on Tuesday. Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) chief engineer Vimal Negi had gone missing on March 10, and his body was found on March 18 under mysterious circumstances in Bilaspur district. The chief engineer's wife Kiran Negi alleged that his seniors harassed him and demanded a CBI probe into his death. Family members protested by placing the engineer's body outside the HPPCL office in Shimla on March 19. On May 23, the high court transferred the Vimal Negi death case to the CBI after the former DGP submitted a status report in the court, questioning the impartiality of the probe by the SIT headed by Gandhi. On May 29, the state government asked DGP Atul Verma, Shimla SP Gandhi and Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Onkar Sharma to proceed on leave. Atul Verma retired on May 31, while Gandhi is on medical leave. Gandhi further stated in his LPA that during the investigation, 'a black diary of Vimal Negi was found, mentioning the name of ACS Onkar Sharma'. Gandhi named the ACS, the HPPCL, the DGP, the CBI, the Union of India and Kiran Negi as respondents. The CBI has undertaken an investigation into the Negi death case after registering a fresh FIR at their Delhi headquarters. A four-member CBI team has visited Shimla and has been recording the statements of family members of Vimal Negi and others.
India Gazette
01-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Himachal Govt drowning in corruption, CM Sukhu should resign": BJP's Jai Ram Thakur
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 1 (ANI): Leader of the Opposition and former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led state government on Saturday, accusing it of deep-rooted corruption and administrative failure. Addressing the media in Shimla and later speaking to ANI, Thakur demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on moral grounds, particularly in connection with the controversial Vimal Negi case. 'The entire Himachal Pradesh government is drowning in corruption. From massive scams in the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation to liquor scandals worth crores this government has lost all credibility. The Chief Minister must resign on ethical grounds,' the BJP leader said. Thakur raised questions over the government's handling of the Vimal Negi case, specifically targeting former Shimla Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi. He accused SP Gandhi of either going rogue against the government or, more worryingly, acting under secret orders from the government itself. 'Is this the first time that an SP is running the government? The CM claims ignorance for two days while SP Gandhi holds a press conference do you really believe that happened without the CM's approval?' Thakur remarked. 'I am saying this with full confidence: Gandhi addressed the media only after consulting the CM,' he added. He also alleged that after SP Gandhi attempted to submit an affidavit and file a petition in court regarding the investigation, the government turned against him. 'Why has no action been taken yet in this case? The people of Himachal want to know. Why is the state resisting a CBI probe? Is the demand for a Special Investigation Team in the High Court Gandhi's idea alone, or is it the government's?' Thakur raised the questions. Thakur claimed the state government is visibly shaken after the High Court directed a CBI probe into the Vimal Negi death case. He further said that several officials fear exposure and potential prosecution. In Vimal Negi case he said there are several unanswered questions, missing phone and also destroyed evidence. Thakur referred to the family of Vimal Negi, who have questioned the disappearance of key evidence particularly his mobile phone, which was reportedly visible in initial recovery photographs of his body but has since gone missing. He also pointed out contradictions in the government's statements regarding a formatted pen drive. 'The CM himself accepted that the pen drive, once formatted has been restored. This proves that an attempt was made to destroy evidence,' he added. He alleged that digital evidence, such as pendrive handed to the police, had also been ignored or rejected under political pressure. 'There is no law and order left in Himachal. The CM has lost control. He and his officers are registering false cases to suppress dissent,' said the BJP leader. Jai Ram Thakur accused the government of launching politically motivated cases against journalists, elected panchayat representatives, and opposition leaders. 'We ended this culture of vendetta during our five years in power. But now, even minor incidents are being used to file cases against journalists and leaders. What does the CM think he will gain by doing all this?' Thakur asked. Thakur dismissed the Chief Minister's recent statements suggesting that the government would have ordered a CBI probe if the family had requested it earlier. He further accused the CM of repeatedly lying both inside and outside the Assembly. He also alleged that the government is not cooperating with the CBI probe and withholding documents required by the investigating agency. Thakur questioned whether SP Sanjeev Gandhi's appearance in court--where he claimed he acted after consulting the CM was without top-level consent. 'If an SP refers to the CM by name in court and claims to have discussed the matter before taking action, why is the government denying it?' he asked. 'It's clear the government is trying to ensure that no substantial evidence reaches the CBI. They are trying to shield specific officers. But the law will prevail--neither Gandhi nor anyone else will decide that; only the court will,' he further added. Thakur cited the Phekuwela solar project as a prime example of corruption under the current government, saying, 'The Phekuwela solar project stands as a monument to corruption. There are numerous such incidents across the state. Yesterday, it was revealed that Shesh Mishra's liquor factory had been running illegally for two years. Police recovered 4 lakh high-end stickers from the site how is this even possible?' He added, 'The Chief Minister must resign. If he cannot handle the responsibility, he should step aside. There is honour in acknowledging one's limitations. The people around him know that he is no longer in control. The bureaucracy has made it clear--'we will do what we want, regardless of the CM.' That is the reality.' Vimal Negi, an engineer with the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), had joined the corporation on June 15, 2024. Just two weeks later, on July 1, 2024, he was reportedly under stress and receiving medical treatment for anxiety. Vimal Negi had gone missing on March 10, and his body was recovered ten days later. His family and colleagues had earlier raised concerns about pressure at the workplace. After days of protest and search efforts led by IG Gyaneshwar Thakur, his body was finally recovered, leading to widespread outrage and demands for justice. However, the Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the state police, failed to provide any clarity about his whereabouts between March 10 and 14, raising serious questions about the credibility of the investigation. (ANI)
India Gazette
28-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Vimal Negi death case: BJP demands wider CBI probe into corruption
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 28 (ANI): The Himachal Pradesh unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday stepped up its attack on the state government over the mysterious death of Vimal Negi, a Chief Engineer with Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), demanding an expansion of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into what it alleges is a major corruption cover-up with links to the Chief Minister's Office. 'There's clear evidence of administrative failure, corruption, and attempts to suppress facts -- the CBI investigation must expand to all angles, including the CM's office', said Harsh Mahajan, BJP MP. While speaking with ANI in Shimla, Mahajan said the party has raised several serious issues before the state Governor, including alleged tampering of evidence, administrative failure, and deliberate attempts to mislead the investigation in the Vimal Negi death case. Mahajan warned that 'a series of corruption scandals' connected to state-run power projects will come to light soon, implicating top officials. 'This entire episode has exposed multiple failures from the administration to the police,' said Mahajan. 'The orders that have come from the court are shocking. We've demanded that the CBI investigation be widened to cover every aspect, including fake solar projects like the Pekhuwala Project and the Songtong Hydro Power Project. A Chief Engineer-level officer died, and instead of taking it seriously, the government tried to hide facts and divert the investigation. This reeks of high-level involvement and the results of a deeper probe will be revealing,' he said. Mahajan pointed out that the officer who submitted the report in the case was the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Omkar Sharma, a highly regarded and honest officer in Himachal Pradesh. 'He was no ordinary officer. The people of Himachal know the character of Omkar Sharma. But even he was harassed. Allegations were levelled against senior officers, including the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police. Even the previous DGP and the SP have been accused. That's why expanding the scope of the CBI inquiry is essential,' Mahajan emphasised. The BJP MP accused the Chief Minister's Office of orchestrating a cover-up and warned that 'when the truth comes out, it will trace back to the CM's office.' Mahajan said the situation in Himachal Pradesh reflects deep governance failures. 'Administrative and financial systems have collapsed. The poor and even the middle class are suffering. The public sentiment is clear: people want to get rid of this government. If you look at everything that has happened, this government has lost the moral authority to stay in power even for a single day,' he said. He also claimed that government officials were being shielded including the Shimla SP, who was sent on 'medical leave' and suggested this was done to protect them from scrutiny. Meanwhile, BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma said that all BJP MLAs and MPs in the state have submitted a memorandum to the Governor demanding a full, impartial investigation into Vimal Negi's death. 'This is not just a case of murder. It involves money laundering and possible misuse of public funds in power projects. Every aspect must be investigated fairly. The Feku solar project, which was overlooked, must also be probed,' Sharma said. 'This is not just a case of murder; it involves money laundering and high-level cover-ups. Truth must come out before the people,' said Sudhir Sharma. He raised questions about the role of Shimla's Superintendent of Police, who went on leave after a series of incidents. 'We have informed the Governor of this. He has assured us that the matter will be referred to the Union Home Minister. This is a very serious issue involving a senior officer, and even the High Court has taken cognizance of it,' Sharma stated. The BJP leader further noted that there have been attempts to hide evidence, and added that while the party would cooperate with the legal process, the public must be told the truth. 'In such a situation, the only solution is to hand over the entire investigation to a central agency. We are confident that an impartial inquiry will uncover the facts. The manner in which reports are surfacing, it's clear the instructions were coming directly from the Chief Minister's office,' Sharma alleged. Calling the situation 'unprecedented,' Sharma said governance in Himachal Pradesh had deteriorated to a dangerous level. 'We haven't seen such a serious political crisis in Himachal Pradesh before. Law and order has broken down. Officials are acting without accountability. Governance has taken a backseat. This is unfortunate for the state. Future governments will find it difficult to bring Himachal back on track,' he said. The BJP leaders have called for the resignation of the Chief Minister, asserting that no fair investigation is possible under the current regime. They also warned that more instances of corruption will be exposed in the coming days, reinforcing their demand for a thorough probe that includes the financial dealings and executive decisions of the Chief Minister's office. (ANI)
