3 min readShimlaFeb 17, 2026 08:03 PM IST
First published on: Feb 17, 2026 at 08:03 PM IST
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu Tuesday announced the constitution of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe into ‘benami’ (anonymous) land deals at Gaggal Airport in Kangra district and Gagret in Una district.
Responding to a query from the Congress MLA from the Gagret assembly seat, Rakesh Kalia, during Question Hour in the assembly, Sukhu said the government will investigate cases of anonymous land purchases and alleged commissions paid during the process at the two locations.
He said if anyone has made ‘benami’ transactions, their land will be confiscated and no compensation will be provided. If any such case comes to light during the investigation, strict action will be taken against those involved, he added.
Kalia alleged that a retired bureaucrat from Uttarakhand was involved in benami land purchases—first in Gagret and now around Gaggal Airport. He further claimed that the same retired officer had a role in attempts to destabilise the state government. Kalia also referred to an FIR registered in Gagret involving an alleged fraud of Rs 8 lakh and demanded stringent action.
He also raised the issue of state bureaucrats not answering calls of elected representatives.
Responding to him, Sukhu reiterated that the SIT probe would examine all aspects of the case. He asked the MLA to submit evidence to him and the Director General of Police for further action. “I assure the respected members of the House that a SIT will be formed to probe the benami properties dealing. The member can submit the relevant evidence to the police.”
Raising the matter in the House, Kalia said elected representatives were finding it increasingly difficult to get administrative officers to act on public grievances. He urged the Chief Minister to personally intervene and initiate strict action against officers who, he alleged, were ignoring legislators.
“It is strange that government bureaucrats don’t listen to public representatives… The telephone allowances given to them should be stopped. The CM should intervene,” Kalia said, adding that such non-responsiveness was hampering development works.
Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania said the Assembly had taken cognisance of the matter. The remarks brought to the fore simmering tensions between elected representatives and the administrative machinery. Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh had also publicly expressed dissatisfaction with sections of the bureaucracy.
The issue recently escalated when Ayush and Youth Affairs Minister Yadvinder Goma moved a privilege notice against Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan for allegedly failing to receive him during a Republic Day visit.
Replying to MLA Rakesh Kalia’s original question, the government stated that under the proposed Gaggal Airport expansion, a total of 4,649 people had been affected and compensation amounting to Rs 1,460.09 crore has been disbursed so far, determined under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. In a separate exchange, BJP MLA Bikram Singh Thakur raised a question regarding irregularities in cooperative societies. Deputy CM Agnihotri requested withdrawal of the query, citing the enormous cost and volume of records required. Thakur refused, saying the government could take its time but must furnish a reply in a future session if not the current one.
Following widespread criticism, the Himachal Pradesh Department of Animal Husbandry has scrapped the controversial "sandbag run" for the recruitment of 500 Pashu Mitras (para-veterinary workers).(File Photo) 
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