HP govt taking undue credit Rs 550 crore WB assistance: PK Dhumal

PALAMPUR (HP): Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister P K Dhumal today accused the Virbhadra Singh-led government of taking undue credit for Rs 550 crore World Bank assistance to a green project, saying it was the previous BJP government who completed all formalities and modalities.

Dhumal, speaking to reporters here, said claims made by the present government of achieving the sanction are false as all formalities and modalities regarding it had been finalised by the previous BJP government.

Only the sanction has been conveyed now, he added. The BJP leader said he would like to see how the state government moves ahead in getting approval for Rs 7565 crore central package demanded by the CM and also the release of Rs 4250 crore on account of arrears under Bhakra Beas management Board (BBMB) as approved by Supreme Court.

Referring to state government's decision to extend the industrial package, Dhumal said when the BJP government had moved a resolution in the Vidhan Sabha for extension of the industrial package till 2020, the entire Congress, instead of supporting the resolution, had walked out.

But now the same Congress party after coming to power is demanding extension of the package to 2020, he said.

Dhumal also accused the government of indulging in indiscriminatory 'mass shifting' of officers and said all the wrong decisions of the state government would be raised in the Vidhan Sabha during the budget session.

He also said that the BJP has discussed its future strategy and decided to field a suitable candidate for Mandi Lok Sabha bye elections.