CM says no compromise on corruption

Shimla, Mar 2 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha today adopted motion of thanks on the Governor's address amid uproarous scenes as agitated BJP leaders indulged in slogan shouting and staged a walkout minutes before Chief Minster Virbhadra Singh concluded his reply.

Replying to the motion of thanks on the Governor's address in the Assembly, the Chief Minister launched a blistering attack on the BJP for being ''anti-state'' during his 90-minute speech.

At one point of time, the BJP members continued slogan shouting and the Speaker had to direct that ''nothing would go on record''.

Reiterating his government's resolve to provide a clean and transparent administration and punish those guilty of corruption, Mr Singh said the government would not spare any person found guilty of corruption provided the allegations of corruption were supported by concrete evidence.

After the BJP leader Mahinder Singh interrupted the Chief Minister for taking no action against the relative of a cabinet minister involved in CPMT case, Mr Singh asked him, 'What were the circumstances which led to his removal from the Dhumal Government''? He said Himachal Pradesh was the first state to bring the office of the Chief Minister under the ambit of the Lokayukta after being the second in the country to have its office after Karnataka in 1984.

''Instead of levelling vile and baseless charges against the government, the opposition members would do well to take the issue of corruption to Lokayukta or any court of law with supporting evidence,'' he said.

Mr Singh said the party that was neck deep in corruption during its own tenure had no moral right to point fingers at others.

Referring to the expansion of education in the state during the last four years, he said this year alone the government had opened 100 primary, 734 middle, 271 high and 393 senior secondary schools in the state, besides 12 colleges.

Accusing the Opposition BJP of not playing any constructive role during the formation of the state, Mr Singh said it was only shedding crocodile tears over the issues of the people now.

The Jan Sangh had opposed the merger of five hill areas of Punjab with Himachal Pradesh under the Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966 and had observed it as 'Shook Diwas', he said.

He said unprecedented development and progress had taken place in the state during the last 50 years with road network crossing over 29,000 km and all revenue villages being provided electricity way back in 1987-88.

Overall, a general prosperity in the state was visible with all necessary facilities being available to a vast section of the society.

Mr Singh said the state had performed exceptionally well in education, health and social sector, adding that the government was spending about 48 per cent of its budget on social sector.

Referring to Punjab and Uttaranchal assembly results, he said in both the states the percentage of votes polled by the Congress was more than the parties that have been voted to power.

Admitting that the win in these two states has energised the directionless and dormant unit of the BJP, he said it would be shortlived.

UNI