Shops Auctioned at ₹4,800 Instead of ₹83,000: Jairam

Shimla, August 27 – Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur alleged massive corruption in the allotment of APMC shops. He said that in Parala Mandi, where shops were auctioned for ₹50,000–₹83,000 ten years ago, the new shops have now been allotted at just ₹4,800. Thakur accused the government of manipulating rules to benefit select favorites while causing huge revenue losses to the state.

He further stated that applications of genuine bidders were rejected deliberately, ensuring shops went only to chosen beneficiaries. Calling it “organized loot protected by the government,” he said that the interests of farmers and horticulturists were being compromised.

When BJP MLA Randhir Sharma raised the issue in the Assembly, the government allegedly failed to provide a clear response, forcing BJP MLAs to stage a walkout. Thakur demanded cancellation of all allotments, fresh tenders, and strict action against those involved.

He charged that the current government, which came to power promising “vyavastha parivartan” (system change), was instead setting new records of corruption and betrayal of public trust.