Congress leader and Chairman, H.P Marketing Board Subhash Manglet has denounced allegations of former Horticulture Minister Narinder Bragta in which the latter has accused Congress of diverting funds meant for Parala marketing yard.

Manglet, in his press statement, blamed Narinder Bragta for misleading over the Parala marketing yard by concealing facts. He stated that the previous BJP led State Government had laid foundation stone of marketing yard just to take political mileage and also announced to give Rs. 100 crore for developing it without any financial provision in the budget.

He said that Rs. 5.25 crore were released by the UPA government under Rashtriya Krishi Yojana (RKY) in the year 2010-11 for this work whereas Rs. 8 crore were provided by APMC, Shimla.

He said that previous BJP government had completely ignored the interests of horticulturists and no initiatives were taken to improve the condition of marketing yards. Manglate stated it’s during BJP regime that the Parwanoo marketing yard remained in a shocking condition whereas the present government completed it in just six months to benefit the fruit growers and now they no more need to go to Chandigarh for selling their produce.

Manglet said that the present State government was committed to safeguard the interests of the fruit growers and all effective measure were being taken to provide them best infrastructural and marketing facilities. He also assured to complete Parala marketing yard in a time bound manner.

Another Congress leader and Jubbal and Kotkhai legislature Rohit Thakur has also ridiculed the statement of Narender Bragta and termed as baseless and politically motivated.

Thakur said that State government was deeply concerned about the early completion of Theog-Hatkoti-Rohru road and the concerned construction company had been strictly warned to complete this work with in 30 months. Thakur claimed that the Congress had obtained 90 percent forest clearances besides handing over the land acquisition work to SDM, Rohru.