I never said that cricket was a game of betting and I never criticised the game of cricket, but my version was that it was due to the betting that the cricket in the past got a bad name and I am of the opinion that nobody should involve themselves in any type of betting in any of the sports, stated Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh while interacting with the media at Mandi today. He said my statement was distorted by few. When asked about that whether the State government would provide land for the National level Cricket Academy, the Chief Minister said that let the proposal come to the government and thereafter we will think about it. Replying to the query on provision of halt of Luxury Volvo buses at Mandi, the Chief Minister said that earlier, when the bus stand was constructed, it was not wisely thought upon regarding the halt or entry of Luxury Volvo buses within the bus stand premises and there were not much Volvos. He said that as many Volvo buses had been added to the fleet of HRTC, additional facility for the Volvo buses would be provided so that they could have adequate parking place. Thought would be given to start Volvo buses from Mandi to other towns within and out of the State also, he said. “I can understand that Volvo buses were coming and going from Manali directly and the people always find it difficult getting seats reserved from the mid-stations”, he replied.
The Chief Minister was in Mandi today to inaugurate the second phase of the Inter-State Bus Terminal which houses 14 shops and five bus-ways Terminals completed with an outlay of Rs 6.66 crore and to participate in the Youth Congress Rally. Chief Minister said that the shops catering to needs of the commuters and passengers would be allotted soon. Constructed by HIMUDA, the second phase of the bus stand inaugurated by Chief Minister will also have a restaurant and HRTC office within the complex besides toilet facilities for the passengers. An official spokesperson from HIMUDA said that 26 shops were already made in the first phase besides 13 bus-ways, on which Rs11.34 crore was spent.Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri Kaul Singh Thakur, Transport Minister Shri G.S. Bali, Forest Minister Shri Thakur Singh Bharmouri, Excise and Taxation Minister, Shri Prakash Chaudhary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Shri Anil Sharma, former Member of Parliament and Chairperson HP Red Cross Hospital Welfare Section, Smt. Pratibha Singh were also present on the inauguration ceremony besides other dignitaries.