Mankotia demands Commission to probe 'disparity'

Solan, Aug 20 (UNI) Alleging corruption in government circles and imbalanced development in Himachal Pradesh, former tourism minister Vijay Singh Mankotia today said Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh should constitute a special Commission to find out the disparity in allocating the budget for developmental and other related schemes across the state.

The setting up of the proposed commission will unmask the ''hollow'' claims of all round development of the state, he said at a press conference here.

Mr Mankotia said a high-level probe should also be ordered into the alleged felling of large number of green trees in the home district of the Chief Minister by the forest mafia.

He said the chief minister had himself announced the setting up of the Commission to look into the charges of corruption after he had raised the issue a few months ago but no such Commission was constituted so far. ''The truth will come before the public if the Commission is setup by the government.'' Timber smuggling was on the rise and illicit felling had become a lucrative business. Citing the example of recent massive deforestation at some place in Shimla district, he urged the government to order a high level probe to book the guilty.

Mr Mankotia, who was here as the chief guest to kick off a tree plantation campaign on the birth anniversary of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, organised by Nasir Khan foundation and All India center for Urban and Rural Development, said his actions were always aimed at a wake up call to the government and truth should be accepted instead of targeting the individual.

Mr Mankotia said that government should deal strictly with all those industrialists violating the norms of providing at least 70 per cent jobs to Himachali domiciles.

The clean chit given in PMT paper leak case and soaring prices had given an opportunity to the BJP to point its gun towards the government, he added.

UNI XC PS PA BST1924