New Delhi: The Congress accused former Himachal Pradesh CM P.K. Dhumal and his son Anurag Thakur of “misuse of office, conflict of interest, gross constitutional impropriety and brazen conduct” in allotting 16 acres of land to the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA), registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860, to construct a stadium on a 99-year lease at the rate of Rs 1 per month as rent.
Mr Thakur is now a BJP MP.
Both Mr Thakur and the HPCA have vehemently denied the charge, and the cricket association said in a statement: “It is really unfortunate that the Congress is dragging the HPCA in their personal vendetta against Anurag Thakur, who happens to be one of the young, charismatic leaders of the BJP.”
Mr Thakur, who is now also the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, was president of the HPCA when the land for the stadium was given on lease.
He said on Sunday that the allegations showed the “bankruptcy” of the Congress and termed it as “lies” and an attempt to “destroy” sports in the country.
The HPCA said the “land is leased to the HPCA, and not to Thakur or his family in their individual capacities”.
Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters on Sunday, former Union minister and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said Prof. Dhumal as Himachal CM had transferred nearly 16 acres of land to the HPCA headed by his son Anurag in 48 hours (between May 25 and May 27, 2002).
“Prof. Dhumal never disclosed on the file the fact of his own membership of the body or his relationship with Anurag. He proceeded to grant and transfer virtual ownership of nearly 16 acres of prime land at a pittance of Rs 1 per month for a period of 99 years,” he alleged, and went on to say: “This is conflict of interest.”
According to him, the land could have been leased only at 18 per cent of the latest highest market value. If the price and market value was calculated, it would come to Rs 94,32,000 per annum, as is reflected in the valuation report of the Dharamshala tehsildar.
He claimed that even the state finance department had rejected the proposal to lease the land at Rs 1 per month. Despite this, Prof. Dhumal presided over the Cabinet meeting on May 27, 2002, where the land was transferred to the society (HPCA) that was headed by his son.
Interestingly, the land was transferred without even an application being made by HPCA. “Two applications, both dated June 7, 2002, were taken one and a half months after the Cabinet decision,” he added.
