'No hesitation in withdrawing remarks against Dhumal, Thakur'

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh today said that his remarks against former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and his son Anurag Thakur at a public meeting at Dhusara in Una district recently were distorted in a section of the press and he meant no disrespect to them.

"I did not intend or mean any disrespect to Dhumal,former Chief Minister or Anurag Thakur and even if my remarks have offended anybody in any way I have no hesitation in withdrawing my words," Singh said in a statement issued here.

Singh's statement has come in the wake of reported statements of some BJP leaders that they would not allow the monsoon session to run smoothly in case the Chief minister did not apologised for his remarks.

Chief minister said that during his visit to Una, it was brought to his notice by the local people that various central projects were deliberately being delayed and the work on Rs 500 crore Indian Oil Depot could not be started as the foundation stone laying programme has been inordinately delayed, although the State Government had completed all the formalities like transfer of land etc., long time back.

Singh said that the Central Government has not released its share of financial assistance of Rs 922.48 crore in Swan River Flood Management Project in Una district which is being funded under Flood Management Project of the Government of India in the ratio of 70:30.

The State Government made a budget allocation of Rs 308 crore for the project during 2014-15 and as per the funding pattern, 70 per cent funds amounting Rs 215.60 crore were to be released by the Government of India in two instalments.

"While?the State Government released its full share, the Central Government released only one installment of Rs 107. 80 crore. Similarly, during 2015-16, the State Government has released its share but the Central Government has not released any amount," Singh alleged.

The Chief Minister said that he was informed that the matter regarding opening of CSD canteen in Una district was also being delayed un-necessarily in spite of the fact that the land has been transferred to Sainik Welfare Department for the purpose.

He said that concerned over the delay in operationalising certain Central projects due to political reasons, he had made some harsh comments.

He said that it was a spontaneous reaction and not his normal way of speaking and he did not intend to personally hurt anybody.

He advised Anurag Thakur to have a positive approach and work for the development of his constituency and State in the larger interest of the people.