Nishank challenges indictment by Bhati probe panel

Challenging his indictment by the Bhati Commission, former Uttarakhand chief minister Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank today termed its report on irregularities in Tarai & Seed Development Corporation as a "pack of lies."
He alleged that the report is prepared under the Bahuguna government's pressure to malign the previous BJP government headed by him in the state.
"The Bhati Commission's report is one sided and has been prepared under government pressure to tarnish the image of the previous BJP government," Nishank told reporters here.
Rubbishing the probe panel's findings, the former Chief Minister asserted that the appointment of Hemant Dwivedi as the chairman of the corporation by his government was in accordance with provisions and the Commission was wholly unjustified in questioning its legality.

Rejecting the Commission's contention that Dwivedi was a non-official person who could not be appointed as head of the corporation as per provisions of the TDC Act, Nishank said he was one of the directors of the TDC and was eligible to be made its chairman after buying a mandatory share of Rs 5000 in the corporation, which he did.
Citing sections 111(A) and 114 of the TDC Act, the BJP national vice-president said Dwivedi's appointment was as per provisions and its legality can't be questioned.
Launching a counter offensive against the state government, he accused it of violating rules by appointing the present Agriculture Minister Harak Singh Rawat, as the corporation's chairman.