Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said he respected the dignity of every individual and Opposition leaders and had no hesitation in withdrawing his remarks if anyone had been hurt.
Two days after his remarks on Anurag Thakur, Hamirpur MP, were published in the media, the Chief Minister said his comments made at Dhusara in Una had been distorted and blown out of proportion.“I did not intend to hurt or show disrespect to PK Dhumal, former Chief Minister, or Anurag Thakur, MP. I have no hesitation in withdrawing the remarks if anyone has been offended as I have full respect for Opposition leaders,” he said. He had made the harsh comments seeing the delay in operationalising the projects and this was a spontaneous reaction and not his normal way of speaking. He said he did not intend to hurt anybody.He advised Anurag to have a positive approach and work for the development of his constituency and the state in the larger interest of the people in a constructive manner.Virbhadra said it had been brought to his notice during his visit to Una that that all Centrally funded projects had been deliberately delayed. “Work on the Rs 500 crore Indian Oil depot could not be started as the foundation stone laying programme has been delayed, although the state government had completed all formalities such as transfer of land long time back,” he said.He said the Centre had not released its share of Rs 922.48 crore for the Swan River Flood Management Project in Una district which was being executed under the Flood Management Project on 70:30 sharing basis.“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 Rs 215.60 crore were to be released by the Centre in two instalments,” he stated.While the state government had released its full share during 2014-15, the Centre released only one instalment of Rs107.80 crore. Similarly, during 2015-16, the state released its share, the Centre had not released any amount, he added.Virbhadra said the matter regarding a CSD canteen in Una district was also being delayed despite the fact that land had been transferred to the Sainik Welfare Department for the purpose.