Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu refutes land-grab charges

Mohali, August 6

Rejecting the allegation of grabbing ‘shamlat’ land in Balongi under the garb of a trust, Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu on Friday said the land was for a ‘gaushala’ and the local panchayat had given it willingly.

Also read: Prime common land in Mohali leased to Punjab Health Minister Balbir Sidhu for a pittance

Not used for any commercial purpose

The land was dedicated for the well-being of abandoned bovine and not for commercial purposes. If anyone wants to know the purpose, he may visit the site to see the work being done here. — Balbir Singh Sidhu, Health Minister

Addressing the media at Bal Gopal Gaushala Welfare Society, Sidhu said some people were trying to politicise the social work, and added the allegation levelled against him was baseless politically motivated. He said the land was dedicated for the well-being of abandoned bovine and not for commercial purposes. “If anyone wants to know the purpose, he may visit the site to see the work being done here,” he said.

Putting a question mark on allegations of his political rivals, Sidhu said, “Have we made any mistake to construct a ‘gaushala’? I made a commitment to the people of Mohali that I will make this city stray animal-free so that road mishaps can be prevented and precious lives can be saved.” He said the land was lying unused and being encroached upon by people but now, the panchayat was getting income from lease deeds.

Anurag Aggarwal, trustee of the society, said to date, more than Rs 1 crore had been invested to construct the cowshed. The money had been donated by trustees or raised from people through voluntary donations.

Meanwhile, former Deputy Speaker Bir Devinder Singh today urged Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to immediately order a CBI probe into the case. — TNS