Temple land used to run business

Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 12

The land belonging to Gujarati Shiv Mandir near Chhoti Nadi in the city is being used for business purposes. Showrooms were constructed on it during the tenure of the SAD-BJP government. Later, the Municipal Corporation had razed the illegal structures.

Interestingly, the whole construction on the land was not cleared during the drive. A shop dealing in the sale of sand and other construction material is being run under the nose of the Patiala Municipal Corporation.

Though the land, which was donated to the temple, can be used for agricultural or religious purposes according to the rules, no commercial activity can be carried out on it.Insiders in the Municipal Corporation (MC) said influential councillors were associated with the illegal activity. “Some councillors are involved in the illegal activity. The land is being used to store construction material.”

Municipal Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Khaira said the illegal structures were razed by them and now they would demolish building from where the illegal activity was being run.