AAP alleges land acquisition scam in Punjab

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 10

The state AAP has levelled allegations against the government of profiteering from the acquisition of land by the NHAI for the construction of NH 105-B.

The party has demanded a time-bound probe into the matter by the High Court judges. Speaking at a press conference in Chandigarh on Wednesday, Leader of Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema alleged that the multi-crore scam was engineered by the land mafia in connivance with officials and brokers under the patronage of ruling party leaders.

He said the politicians had not only defrauded farmers, small landowners, but also caused a huge loss to the state exchequer. The land for the highway, which was under construction, was acquired from villages in Dharamkot, Moga, Baghapurana, Jaito and Rampuraphul.

Citing construction of roads and other development works, the land mafia during the tenure of then ruling SAD-BJP had bought the land from the farmers for peanuts. Subsequently, the Congress government also followed the suit.

The AAP leader alleged that bureaucrats and politicians had got the sale deeds registered in the names of their relatives, friends and co-workers. Meanwhile, Congress Moga MLA Dr Harjot Kamal has denied the allegations of his involvement in the scam. He said he was ready to face any inquiry.

Probe ordered, says Kangar

Terming AAP allegations baseless, Revenue Minister Gurpreet Singh Kangar, in a statement, said the charges were politically motivated. He said taking cognisance of reports about land scam in NH 105-B, he had already asked the FCR to conduct an investigation to ascertain the facts.