Shimla March, 27; Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today told the House that “none of his relatives was involved in the liquor trade”. Intervening in demand under the head ‘police and allied organisations’, he said, “No relative of mine is involved in the liquor trade nor supplied liquor to the state-owned Himachal Beverages Corporation, which handles the liquor trade in the state.” Setting up the corporation was a “revolutionary” step that has broken the monopoly of a few liquor traders, who tried to fail the new initiative but did not succeed, he said.
On allegations of ‘Mafia Raj’ in the state, Singh said, “In fact Mafia Raj existed during the previous BJP rule and ‘Mafia’ was a derogatory word that should not be used.” The government was dealing with a firm hand with criminals and other offenders. Resultant, the crime rate has declined and conviction rate was higher, he said.
Speaking on the cut motions, Mohinder Singh of BJP alleged that law and order situation was deteriorating in the state and the transfer, mining, liquor and forest mafias were active. The incident relating to beating of some Afghan students by a tourist guide was also raised by Suresh Bharadwaj of the BJP.
