Himachal Government takes over all HPCA stadiums and hotels in state

Dharamsala, October 27, 2013: Following the Himachal Cabinet’s decision of Saturday, and subsequently  taking  over of  Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) International Cricket Stadium and a five-star luxury resort- The Pavilion, in Dharamsala, by Administration on Midnight yesterday,  Ranji match between Himachal Pradesh and Goa scheduled for Sunday has been cancelled. The cancelation was confirmed by HPCA’s PRO Sanjay Sharma on phone.
Earlier, in a late night swift operation, the Kangra district administration finally took over the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium as well as the Pavilion Hotel at Dharamsala — both known to be closely associated with Anurag Thakur, MP and former Chief Minister PK Dhumal's son. When contacted, Anurag Thakur said on the cancellation of HPCA land leases, "The Chief Minister must know that the judiciary in this country is fiercely independent and will be approached for relief for this illegal and politically motivated action. People of the state are watching every vindictive action of the government.”
It may be mentioned here that a team led by Deputy Commissioner Kangra at Dharamsala , C Palrasu reached the HPCA stadium at 2AM. The other members of the Team were Additional Deputy Commissioner, Rohan Chand Thakur, Additional District Magistrate, Rakesh Sharma and Sub- Divisional Magistrate, Harish Gajju. The officials had to enter the stadium premises by breaking open the locks of main gate as HPCA security guard refused to open the gates stating that the keys were with cricket body’s officials.
District Sports Officer, Mahender Pratap Bharadiya was given the charge of the stadium.
HPCA spokesperson, Sanjay Sharma who reached the spot after the official had entered the stadium opposed the authorities by saying that the cricket body was not informed about the action on time. He also refused to receive the copy of takeover orders. The authorities told the HPCA official that no activity could be undertaken in the stadium without permission.
Later the authorities also took over “The Pavilion” hotel around 2:50AM while another stadium of the cricket body at Nadaun in adjoining Hamirpur district (in the constituency of MP Anurag Thakur) was taken over at 3 AM.
Meanwhile, Sanjay Sharma flayed the state government for its decision to take over the stadium. “This like some emergency has been imposed in the state. The case is still pending in High Court but state government seems to be in some hurry. At least authorities should have waited till morning,” said Sharma. He said the Congress government was repeating the 2005 episode when an attempt was made to take over HPCA forcefully. “We have a Ranji match scheduled for Sunday between Himachal and Goa. Who will take the responsibility of all the arrangements?”, he said.
He said HPCA will fight legal battle against the government’s decision.
Dharamsala Cricket stadium was built in 2003, the resort, 'The Pavilion', was built in 2011-12 by the HPCA, under the president ship of BJP MP Anurag Thakur, son of former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, during the tenure of the earlier BJP governments. According to reports, the land for the resort was allotted to the HPCA for building "residential facilities for sportsmen".
The state cabinet which met at state capital Shimla on Saturday under chairmanship of Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh had decided to cancel the lease deeds of all the land allotted to the sports body at various places across the state for setting up a stadium and creation of other facilities and take over its properties.  After receiving the government orders the district officials held a meeting late night at Dharamsala before the midnight action. Sources said that the mid night operation was conducted to avoid confrontation with the HPCA members and supporters.
The Cabinet decided to take back and cancel the lease made in favour of the HPCA at Luhnu in Bilaspur, Nadaun in Hamirpur, Gumma in Shimla and Lalpani in Shimla. The Vigilance Bureau has already registered two cases against HPCA. The Registrar Cooperative Societies has also issued a show-cause notice to the HPCA for converting itself from a society into a company. www.cityairnews.com

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