Shimla : The CPM has accused the P.K.Dhumal led government of diverting and not utilising funds for the urban poor living in Himachal Pradesh’s capital Shimla .
Senior CPM leader Sanjay Chauhan said here Sunday that even central funds allocated to them have not been utilised .
“Under JLNNURM Rs 34 crore were allocated for various developmental schemes for Shimla town but this money hasn’t been spent by the government since the past four years,” he alleged .
“The director of the national building organisation in the union urban development ministry has resented this and has even asked the state government to return this fund ,” he said .
Chauhan said this has exposed the functioning of the BJP and also the Congress ruled Shimla civic body .
“It is surprising that the civic body is crying for funds but have allowed the central funds for the poor to lapse ,” he said .
The CPIM has questioned both the parties for failing to provide land for housing the poor in the last four years but at the same time have provided land for dog huts and slaughter houses in heart of the city .
”Similarly builders in the Shimla town have been allowed to encroach on forest land to build apartments but the M.C. Shimla has failed to check these illegal activities continues to provide illegal permissions,” he said .
The CPIM has demanded an inquiry into all such illegal deals and the guilty be punished accordingly.
In a 20 year career published widely. He has worked for the BBC, AFP, The Statesman, IANS and the Business Standard . Known for his hard hitting writing and occasional off-beat stories. He lives in Shimla.
