Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday stated that the state government will set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate alleged ‘benami’ land deals at Gaggal Airport in Kangra district and in Gagret area of Una district.
Replying to a question raised by Congress MLA Rakesh Kalia from the Gagret Assembly constituency during Question Hour, Sukhu said the government will investigate anonymous land purchases and alleged payment of commissions at both places.
He said if anyone is found involved in ‘benami’ transactions, their land will be confiscated and no compensation will be given. If such cases come to light during the probe, strict action will be taken against those responsible, he added.
“The state government is taking strict action against corruption and will also take action against irregularities in the purchase and sale of land at Gaggal Airport and Gagret,” he said. He also pointed out that outsiders can buy land in Himachal Pradesh only under Section 118 of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act.
The Chief Minister asked the Congress MLA from Gagret to submit any documents he has related to these allegations to the SIT for proper investigation.
Answering the original question, Sukhu said that more than Rs 1,460 crore has been distributed to 4,649 people under the proposed land acquisition for the expansion of Gaggal Airport in Kangra. He said the compensation has been directly transferred to the bank accounts of affected families as per the Land Acquisition Act.
In a supplementary question, Kalia made allegations against a former Uttarakhand government official. He claimed that the official was involved in an attempt to topple the Himachal Pradesh government last year.
Kalia also said that a complaint regarding a Rs 8-lakh fraud had been filed against the concerned persons, but the investigation has not moved forward.
Responding to a separate question by BJP MLA Inder Dutt Lakhanpal from the Barsar constituency, Sukhu said that the underground ducts being built in Shimla for electricity and telecom cables and water pipelines are totally safe and will not harm the city.
He said once the project is completed, the issue of hanging overhead wires in Shimla will be resolved. Roads will no longer need to be dug up repeatedly for laying electric, telephone, or water lines, which will also improve the city’s appearance.
The ducts are being constructed from Chota Shimla through Scandal Point to Chaura Maidan at a cost of Rs 150 crore. Sukhu said there will be no compromise on the quality of the work.
He also informed the House that the government is working on a Rs 500-crore project to expand the market complex at Sabzi Mandi. On the issue of releasing MLA area development funds, the Chief Minister said the government will hold discussions with the Opposition after the ongoing debate on the revenue deficit grant concludes. He also advised opposition MLAs to avoid issuing too many MLA fund recommendation letters, considering the financial challenges faced by the state.
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