Govt orders probe into Himachal Pradeshrun liquor wholesaler

  • | Sunday | 15th July, 2018

SHIMLA: The BJP government in Himachal Pradesh has ordered a probe into the working of the controversial Himachal Pradesh Beverages Corporation Limited during the previous Congress regime. The sources said liquor was sold at the maximum selling price instead of maximum retail price.The state government has also ordered a probe into the recruitments made by three cooperative banks — Kangra Central Cooperative Bank, Jogindera Central Cooperative Bank and HP State Cooperative Bank. While in the Opposition the BJP had questioned the decision of the then Congress government to form the Himachal Pradesh Beverages Corporation Limited. But to benefit a select few, the then Congress government formed this corporation on July 1, 2016, and started distributing liquor through three depots only. The cabinet had recently discussed the matter and found that the formation for this corporation had caused a loss of Rs 150 crore to the state exchequer and decided to probe the matter.

SHIMLA: The BJP government in Himachal Pradesh has ordered a probe into the working of the controversial Himachal Pradesh Beverages Corporation Limited during the previous Congress regime. The cabinet had recently discussed the matter and found that the formation for this corporation had caused a loss of Rs 150 crore to the state exchequer and decided to probe the matter. Now, following the cabinet decision, the state government has directed the vigilance bureau to hold the investigation and fix the responsibilities.The state government is also probing the recruitments made by the three state cooperative banks during the previous Congress regime, along with their non performing assets (NPA). While in the Opposition the BJP had questioned the decision of the then Congress government to form the Himachal Pradesh Beverages Corporation Limited. Leaders of the BJP were alleging that the corporation was formed during the previous Congress regime only to benefit certain liquor traders of a neighbouring state.They also claimed that before June 2016, the state had around 166 wholesale traders and through them hundreds of youth were getting employment. But to benefit a select few, the then Congress government formed this corporation on July 1, 2016, and started distributing liquor through three depots only. Sources said in the cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Jai Ram Thakur, the issue was discussed at length after which a decision was taken to hand over the probe to the vigilance.Sources said it was felt by the Cabinet that corporation not only caused loss to the state exchequer but also benefited the liquor mafia. Moreover, liquor worth Rs 25 crore bought for the corporation is still lying in the godowns and the excise department is facing the challenge to sell this dumped liqour, they added. The sources said liquor was sold at the maximum selling price instead of maximum retail price.The state government has also ordered a probe into the recruitments made by three cooperative banks — Kangra Central Cooperative Bank, Jogindera Central Cooperative Bank and HP State Cooperative Bank. One of the elected directors of a cooperative bank had alleged that during the previous Congress regime irregularities were committed and he had also questioned the education qualification of candidates from other states who were recruited.The sources said a question was also raised regarding the repair work at some branches and a guest house of a cooperative bank. Even the BJP had also raised similar questions while in the opposition.

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