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Ruchika M Khanna
Chandigarh, March 26
The Punjab legislators who have failed twice in getting a "suitable" accommodation for themselves in Chandigarh or in its vicinity have now left it to the state government to provide them land at concessional rates and also arrange loan from a financial institution.
In an impromptu resolution brought in the House, minutes before it was adjourned sine die yesterday, Sanaur MLA Lal Singh sought the permission of Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal to bring a proposal before the government seeking land in Greater Mohali Authority Development Area (GMADA) for construction of houses or flats.
The MLAs not only demanded land at concessional rate from GMADA, but also sought the government’s help in arranging a loan for them. The Speaker suggested that even former MLAs be included in this project, which was agreed upon by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal.
Within minutes, the proposal was okayed unanimously and the MLAs, both from the Opposition and Treasury benches, left the House beaming. This is the third time that the MLAs’ dreams of having their own house in the City Beautiful’s vicinity is taking wings.
In 2007, 126 sitting and former MLAs gave away 21.2 acres of land in Kansal to a top housing development company and its local partner for developing it into a multi-storeyed and multi-towered housing project, in exchange for a flat and Rs82.5 lakh each. The project is stuck in legal wrangles and the society is trying to get the pact signed with the company annulled.
The MLAs have already expressed their willingness to return the cash that they had received from the developer.
Last year, a society of over 40 serving and former MLAs was duped by two land developers on the pretext of selling them land in Sector 113-114 on the Kharar-Landran road in Mohali. However, the developers diverted Rs13.38 crore that they received from the MLAs to fund a Punjabi film. One of the developers, who was paid the majority sum (Rs9.7 crore) through cheques, used the money to
produce the film. He had prepared three agreements to sell the land, which turned out to be fake.
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