HP Govt to probe cases of Benami land deals

"The matter would be placed before the cabinet and as stated in the election manifesto, action would be taken in all case in which land laws had been violated or circumvented," Health and Revenue Minister Kaul Singh told reporters here.

Singh said that Benami land transactions and violation of section 118 of the Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, which bars purchase of land by non-agriculturists, including bonafide Himachalis without the permission of the government, was rampant in the previous regime.

The minister said that as Health minister, his first priority would be to make all essential and life saving drugs available in medicine shops in government hospitals at cheapest price and he had decided to enhance the budget for purchase of medicines for hospitals in backward areas.