Congress must answer questions over alleged irregularities: Bindal

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Bindal seeks transparent probe into mining, dredging and financial irregularity allegations against the Congress

Shimla, September 15

BJP Himachal Pradesh President Rajeev Bindal on Tuesday accused the Congress of failing to provide satisfactory answers to allegations of corruption and financial irregularities in different states, and demanded transparent investigations into issues concerning mining, dredging, stone crushers and public resources in Himachal Pradesh.

Bindal said recent investigations and allegations involving the Congress leaders and people associated with them in Uttarakhand and Karnataka have raised questions over transparency, accountability and the use of public resources.

Referring to Uttarakhand, he cited Enforcement Directorate action concerning Chandan Singh Jeena, who had served as OSD to former Chief Minister Harish Rawat, in connection with alleged irregularities in the 2016 UKSSSC Village Panchayat Development Officer recruitment examination.

Bindal said allegations of OMR sheet manipulation and irregularities in the recruitment process require a thorough, independent investigation, as the credibility of government recruitment directly affects thousands of job aspirants.

He also referred to recent ED action in Karnataka involving state minister Satish Jarkiholi, his family members and associates. Bindal said the investigation, which reportedly examined documents related to investments in mining companies in African countries, should proceed independently and that responsibility should be determined only on the basis of evidence and due process.

Turning to Himachal Pradesh, Bindal alleged that several questions have been raised over decisions related to mining, dredging, stone crushers, government contracts and the management of natural resources.

He specifically sought clarification from the state government on dredging and mining activities in the Beas River, including questions about the deposit of base value, bank guarantees, the legal basis for carrying out the activity through the Forest Department, and the process followed to obtain the Cabinet approval.

“These are specific questions concerning government decisions and public resources. The government should place the relevant records in the public domain and remove every doubt,” Bindal said.

He also referred to questions raised by BJP leaders regarding an under-construction stone crusher in the Jaisinghpur area. He demanded that details of permissions, ownership, environmental clearances and other statutory approvals be made public.

Bindal said the BJP was not opposed to lawful investigations and maintained that investigative agencies and police machinery should neither be obstructed nor misused against political opponents.

“Our demand is straightforward—investigate every credible allegation impartially, place the facts before the people and take action against anyone found guilty, irrespective of political affiliation,” he said.

Bindal said the BJP will continue to raise issues concerning public money and Himachal Pradesh’s natural resources through democratic and constitutional means. He added that the government has a responsibility to answer questions regarding the management of public funds and resources with facts and documents.