Probing sale of govt factory machinery for a song: HP CM

A probe is being held into the sale of costly machinery of a public sector carton factory at throwaway prices to identify those responsible for causing a loss to the state, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said today.
"It is unfortunate that the carton factory was closed and its machinery, worth Rs 80-90 crore, sold for Rs 2 crore only," Singh said at the 64th state-level 'Van Mahotsav' function at Shamalaghat, 16km from here.
The factory in question was located at Gumma in Kotkhai.
"I ordered an inquiry into the matter after receiving information that the same machines were reassembled at Nagpur and are producing cartons which are being sold in Himachal Pradesh," Singh added.

Addressing concerns over the illegal felling of trees, Singh referred to a proposal for restoring the timber distribution rights of the people to enable them to procure wood for building houses and cremating their dead.
The CM also expressed concern over encroachment of forest land by an influential person in Manali and seizure of sleepers at Dalhousie in Chamba district.

He said he had sought a detailed report on the above cases to ensure strict action against erring officials.
Talking about the forestry and wildlife department, Singh said that the sector had a budget of Rs 132 crore this year, which was up from the Rs 127 crore allotted last year.

He said that 17,500 hectares would be brought under plantation in the state this fiscal, generating employment of about 34 lakh man days.
Further, the state government has made a provision of Rs 5 crore for the treatment of 5,000 hectares of weed-infested land.
Singh also spoke about the 'monkey sterilisation programme' in the state, ruing the lack of concern demonstrated by the officials entrusted with the job.
On the occasion, Singh released a book entitled 'Wild Medicinal Plants of HP: An Assessment of their Conservation Status and Management Prioritisation' and a poster on 'Forest Medicinal Plants' brought out by the Forest Department.

Speaking at the event, Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri said that many schemes were being implemented with external cooperation to increase the green cover in the state.