Anirudh denies assault charge, terms NHAI officials ‘most corrupt’

Denying the allegations of an assault on National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials, in which an FIR has been filed against him, Himachal Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh today claimed that the FIR was part of the NHAI cover-up to divert attention from the collapsed building at Bhattakuffar.

“It’s a baseless FIR and I deny all allegations levelled in it. The NHAI officials knew that the building collapse would become a big issue, and they lodged the FIR just to divert attention from the real issue,” the minister said at a press conference here. “The FIR doesn’t mean I am guilty. Are there any witnesses, photographs or any evidence supporting the allegations,” the minster asked.

Launching a scathing attack on the NHAI, the minister alleged widespread irregularities in its functioning across the state and termed its “officials the most corrupt in the country”.

“There’s a nexus between the NHAI, central agencies and contractors due to which common people suffer massive losses,” he alleged.

“And when people lose their property and lives, the NHAI washes its hands of the matter saying compensation will be paid,” he said.

The minister raised questions on the quality of the NHAI work, particularly the quality of their retaining walls and vertical cutting of hills. “Many lives have been lost on the Kalka-Shimla four-lane highway in landslides and shooting stone incidents due to the faulty work,” he said.

He said several complaints and FIRs had been filed against the NHAI and construction companies, but hardly any action had been taken. “Instead, there’s pressure to take back these complaints and FIRs. It’s a failure of the system, and it starts from the top, from the Centre,” he said.

Responding to the social media post of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, in which he has sought strict action against the persons accused of assault on the NHAI officials, Anirudh said the Union Minister wouldn’t know the ground situation and the crass functioning of NHAI officials. “I will soon meet the Union Minister to apprise him of the working of the NHAI officials. Also, I will request him to frame a policy for the people who have suffered due to the NHAI projects,” said Anirudh.

The minister also came down heavily on the state government’s departments as well for their failure to take action against the irregularities done by the NHAI and construction companies. “What are the departments of Environment, Pollution, Forest and Revenue are doing? When the building fell, disaster officials were busy in a meeting. Meetings won’t be of any use if you don’t reach the spot and take action,” he said.

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