Badal resort: EC demands report

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 24

Dissatisfied with the Punjab Government’s reply on the proposed road connecting Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal’s luxury resort Sukhvilas to the international airport, the Election Commission (EC) has sought a report “within 24 hours” on email.

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The notification to acquire land for the road was issued on January 3, a day before the code of conduct came into effect. The “most urgent” communication has been sent by VK Singh, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), to the Special Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development.

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The government has been asked to clarify the exact alignment and end point of the proposed road. “The alignment shown includes the present road from Kurali to Siswan and Baddi. If the road is already there, then for what purpose is your department acquiring land on this section?” the communication asked.

“Your report mentions that the end point is 5-6 km from the said resort,” it added, asking that the area of the resort be marked on a map.

Two weeks ago, the CEO had sought a report from the government. The Tribune had highlighted that the notification to acquire 112 acres of eight villages was issued in haste and that several other projects for which the Social Impact Assessment was done were overlooked. EC officials said they had acted on a complaint given by AAP.