Shimla, Feb. 17 -- The second day of the Budget Session of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly witnessed heated exchanges during the Question Hour as the issue of alleged benami land deals in Gagret dominated proceedings.
Raising the matter, Gagret MLA Rakesh Kalia alleged that large-scale benami land transactions were being carried out in the area.
He claimed that the network, which initially operated in Gagret, had now expanded its activities to the vicinity of Gaggal Airport.
Kalia further alleged the involvement of a retired Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand in these deals and accused the officer of playing a role in attempts to destabilize the state government.
Responding to the allegations, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu...