Cabinet Approval Rushed Through Circulation; Alleged ₹20-Crore Transaction Must Be Probed, Case Fit for ED Investigation: Sudhir Sharma
Shimla: BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma has raised serious questions over the dredging and extraction of mineral material from the Beas River in Kullu and demanded an impartial, high-level investigation into the entire matter. He alleged that mining-related work was shifted from the Mining Department to the Forest Department, resulting in a substantial loss of royalty and revenue to the state exchequer.
Sharma alleged that the base value price was not deposited with the government and the required bank guarantee was also not furnished before the work was allowed to proceed. He said the government must explain under which rules and on whose authority the work was permitted without fulfilling these financial requirements.
He further alleged that the Cabinet approval for carrying out mining through the Forest Department was obtained in haste through circulation. Sharma demanded that the government place the complete Cabinet record in the public domain and explain why such an important decision was taken through circulation instead of following the regular process.
Sharma claimed that under the applicable rules of the Government of India, the Forest Department is not authorised to undertake mining operations. He challenged the state government to make public the statutory provisions, permissions and approvals under which the Forest Department was entrusted with such work. If any special permission was obtained, the same should also be disclosed.
He further alleged that serious questions were being raised regarding the role of an influential political leader from Kullu, at whose behest, according to him, the work was shifted from the Mining Department to the Forest Department. The government must disclose who recommended this decision, at what level it was approved and who ultimately benefited from it, he said.
Sharma said there was also discussion of an alleged payment of ₹20 crore to a Congress woman leader in connection with the matter. He stressed that the veracity of such an allegation could only be established through an independent investigation. Instead of merely dismissing the allegation, the government should ensure that the financial trail is thoroughly examined. If the allegation is false, an investigation would establish the facts; if any wrongdoing is detected, those responsible must face action under the law.
The MLA demanded that the government disclose how much mineral material was extracted from the Beas River, its assessed base value, the royalty and other revenue payable to the state, the amount actually deposited, why the bank guarantee was allegedly not obtained, and where the extracted material was transported, sold or utilised.
Sharma said that considering the allegations involving public revenue, mineral resources and suspected financial transactions, the matter should not be confined to a departmental inquiry.
“This is a fit case for an Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation. The complete financial trail, beneficiaries and transactions should be investigated. If evidence of money laundering or proceeds linked to a scheduled offence emerges, the competent agencies must take action in accordance with law,” Sharma said.
He added that the Beas River and Himachal Pradesh’s mineral and natural resources belong to the people of the state and cannot be treated as the private property of any individual or influential group.
Sharma demanded that the government make public the Cabinet decision, statutory permissions, base-value assessment, bank-guarantee details, royalty records and complete account of the mineral material extracted from the Beas River, besides ordering an independent investigation into the entire matter.