Mahajan to approach Lokayukta over BJP's chargesheet

Shimla, Mar 16 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Revenue Minister Sat Mahajan today said he will soon file an affidavit with the Lokayukta against charges of corruption levelled against him in the BJP's chargesheet submitted to the Governor on March five.

Participating in the discussion on Budget proposals for 2007-08 in the assembly, he said he was waiting for the government's letter allowing him to file an affidavit in the Lokayukta.

Mr Mahajan said Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has allowed him to file the affidavit individually and soon after receiving the state government's letter, he would file his affidavit with the Lokayukta since he was personally hurt over the allegations.

He said, as far as, purchase of computers was concerned, the state department had nothing to do with it since the purchases were made by the Central Information and Technology Department.

The state government had ordered the transfer of 20 patwaris, including the relative of a Congress legislator, in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh industrial area alone after certain people alleged irregularities in land purchases there, he said.

Besides, Mr Mahajan said the revenue department has no role in the acquisition and selling of land and it only gives a no objection certificate (NOC) only, while the industries department was responsible for allotting the land.

He said it would have been better had the former state Chief Minister P K Dhumal elaborated on the charges of corruption levelled against the Congress ministers during his discussion on the Budget proposals.

Admitting that prices of essential commodities had risen during the last few years, he said the UPA Government's decision to ban export of foodgrains, lowering of import duties on foodgrains and a total ban on forward trading were likely to control prices of food items.

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