Former Himachal Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal on Tuesday filed his reply to the questionnaire of State vigilance and anti-corruption bureau sent to him a week back regarding irregularities in Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA).
The questionnaire that included half a dozen questions was sent to Dhumal along with copies of notings on the file pertaining to the grant of land and other sanctions on February 10 seeking reply within a week. The week which was ending on Tuesday, Dhumal filed a detailed reply through his lawyer by email, which the bureau official termed it as unsatisfactory.
In the questionnaire Vigilance Bureau had asked Dhumal, why he did preside over the meetings in which matters regarding the HPCA were decided as he himself was the chief patron of the cricket association with voting right and the cricket body being headed by his son Anurag Thakur, when he should have easily rescued him. “In his reply Dhumal had said that being a Chief Minister, he was made the chief patron of HPCA and he had not requested for the post nor had received any letter from the cricket body,” said a vigilance official on condition of anonymity adding that according to customs of HPCA, usually Chief Minister of the state are made chief patron of the organisation.
On why the land was leased out to HPCA on Rs. 1 token lease money despite of finance department’s objection to the grant of lease on concessional rates, Dhumal has replied that the file was dealt on secretary level and was not sent to his office. Finance department had opined that the lease should be given on “usual terms and conditions”.
“To another query that why the fact that the land leased out to HPCA belonged to revenue department was concealed willfully from the cabinet, Dhumal said the information was in the memorandum circulated among the cabinet ministers,” said the officials.
The vigilance in its probe into the case had found that land leased to the HPCA was given to the education department by the revenue department, which was further transferred it to Youth Services and the Sports Department, before it was given on lease to the HPCA.
On query related to the land given to HPCA’s on lease to develop residential facility for players the land was given as per state leaserules. It is to be noted that the cabinet had approved the HPCA’soriginal proposal of construction or residential facility, but the revenue secretary granted lease for the construction of a five-starhotel.