Land transfer to Ramdev sparks political row

The party plans to gherao the Vidhan Sabha on April 9,charging the government with sheltering the corrupt and formulating anti-people policies. The special focus will,however,remain on the sale of 98 bighas to Ramdev’s institution for a mere Rs 17 lakh. The land has been leased out at a token Re 1 per annum. The land is in Kalhog,near Sadhupul of Kandaghat tehsil in Solan district.

Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee president Kaul Singh Thakur said: “Land in Solan district is fetching huge prices and the plot sold to Ramdev has been devalued by showing its market price lesser than the actual to favour the Patanjali Yogpeeth,which is a commercial organisation.”

The Congress has earlier raised voice against the government for giving land to outsiders in the name of setting up private universities without any strict regulation.

Kaul Singh said all these issues would be taken to the masses at the April 9 rally in Shimla where the party would gherao the Vidhan Sabha when the Assembly would be in session.

“The hike in bus fares in the state by 30 per cent is unjustified and people across the state are upset with this. Our workers have confirmed public support over the issue to corner the government,” Kaul Singh said.

Virbhadra flays hike in bus fares

MANALI: Union Minster for Steel Virbhadra Singh has strongly criticised the recent hike in bus fares by the Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation. He said the hike was a big burden on the commuters of the poor state. Virbhadra was here to inaugurate the Rs 25-lakh Leaves Experiment Lab at Mahili. The function was organised by the Upper Kullu Fruit Growers’ Association. Addressing the orchardists from different parts of Kullu valley,the minister said the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee had legally no right to charge 8 per cent tax from them,adding that there was a provision to recover this tax from the fruit purchasers. He suggested to the orchardists to file a public interest litigation in the Delhi High Court against this. He sanctioned Rs 10 lakh for the construction of two cow sheds in Kullu valley. Former minister and Congress leader Raj Krishan Gaur and former BJP MLA Chander Sen were also present.