Dharamshala:
The Kangra Valley Carnival has landed in controversy after senior BJP leader and former Himachal Pradesh industries minister Bikram Thakur alleged corruption, forced collections and financial irregularities in the conduct of the event.
Thakur accused the Congress-led Sukhu government of running a “donation raj”, claiming traders were pressured to contribute money for the carnival instead of the event being funded through a proper government budget. He said this showed financial mismanagement and administrative failure.
He pointed out that a notification stopping the collection was issued only after public pressure and demanded clarity on how much money was collected before that, where it was deposited and how it was spent. Thakur asked the Kangra Deputy Commissioner to issue a white paper on the matter.
The BJP leader said a letter from the Kangra District Controller of the Civil Supplies Department, now circulating on social media, indicated that the collections were made with official knowledge. He alleged that the money was taken under pressure and not as voluntary support.
Thakur also raised questions over event management, alleging inflated bills for artists and arbitrary rates charged to traders for stalls, shops and swings, causing loss to the state exchequer.
Warning the government, he said if the alleged extortion and corruption were not stopped and those responsible were not punished, the BJP would intensify its protest to protect traders and the public.
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