New Delhi: As the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government completes two years in office in December, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has found himself in the eye of yet another political storm-this time over a high court order directing the attachment of Himachal Bhawan in Delhi after the state government failed to pay ₹150 crore in dues and interest to Seli Hydro Company.
Justice Ajay Mohan Goel ordered attachment of Himachal Bhawan on Sikandra Road as the state government had failed to pay the dues and 7% interest amounting to ₹150 crore. The order said that “for the purpose of execution of the award in issue, this Court orders the attachment of Himachal Bhawan, 27-Sikandra Road, Mandi House, New Delhi, and the execution petitioner may take appropriate steps for auction thereof”.
The judge also asked the principal secretary (power) to conduct a fact-finding inquiry to find particular officers responsible for non-payment of the amount and said, “as the interest shall be ordered to be personally recovered from the erring officer (s)/ official (s)”. “Needful be positively done within 15 days,” the order said.
It comes right ahead of Sukhu government’s second year anniversary on December 11. The state BJP has criticised the government for its inability to present its case effectively. The leader of the opposition Jai Ram Thakur said, “Himachal is making national headlines for all the wrong reasons. The two-year tenure of the Congress government has damaged the good image of Himachal. Due to the policies of the Congress government, Himachal Pradesh has lagged far behind in the race of development, which will not be easy to recover.”
The chief minister, however, said the government is studying the order carefully. “We have decided to approach the double bench of the high court for a review,” he said.
