Ace Shooter Abhinav Bindra is not yet off hook for concealing facts in the application for a one kanal plot in Aerocity,the much-touted independent integrated township in the vicinity of the upcoming international airport in Mohali. The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has issued a showcause notice to the Olympic gold medalist to either appear in person or reply on his own behalf on why further proceedings may not be initiated against him for furnishing wrong information in the application form. Apart from Bindra,15 other successful allottees under various reserved categories were also put on notice. All those issued notices have been asked to respond within 15 days, GMADA Estate Officer Balbir Singh Dhol told Newsline while confirming that the notices were issued last week following scrutiny of documents of all successful candidates under various reserved categories. Soon after the incident came to light,Bindra,through his officer on special duty (OSD),had withdrawn from the allotment while admitting his ineligibility in the reserved category for sportspersons,but the GMADA authorities have turned down the same while terming it unacceptable. Others put on notice are not any prominent or known personalities but have come under scanner following certain discrepancies detected in their respective application forms or considering the complaints received thereon,disclosed Dhol. In the draw of lots for the allotment of plots conducted in September,Bindra had turned lucky to become the successful applicant for owning a plot under the reserved category for sportspersons. Under this category,a total of 57 applications were received for the allotment of 13 plots and Bindra was among those whose raffle ticket had come out in the draw. In his application for allotment of residential plots,the 28-year-old Bindra had given a declaration that he had not availed the benefit of allotment of plot/house/flat in any other scheme/station under the reserve category from any government agency. However,Bindra had already availed benefit under the reservation with the allotment of 1 kanal plot in Sector 68 here by Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) on November 12,2002,under the sportsperson category. Allotted for Rs 18,72,000 at the rate of Rs 3744 per square yard Bindra had reportedly resold the plot in 2006 for over Rs 1 crore. It is clearly mentioned in the Aerocity brochure that the beneficiary under any reserve category should not have availed the benefit of allotment under the reserve category in any scheme of any government agency in any part of Punjab. Moreover,those who themselves or any member of their family already owning any residential plot/house/flat allotted by any government agency in Mohali were not eligible to apply for plots in Aerocity. Regretting for claiming second benefit under the sports quota and withdrawing his successful application,Bindras OSD Rominder Kalsi had later wrote to GMADA Chief Administrator Vivek Pratap Singh ,In view of the controversy created in media,Bindra wish to bring to your notice that when he signed the application for allotment of plot in Aerocity under reserved category for sportspersons,he genuinely and honestly did not read the terms of eligibility and signed the application form in routine when the same was put up to him by his office staff. Bindra was further quoted as saying,While I cannot absolve myself of the responsibility of not having read the terms,I wish to clarify that there was a mistake without any intention to conceal any information from GMADA authorities. In the circumstances,I wish to convey my deep regrets for the inconvenience caused to GMADA and request you to treat my application as withdrawn as my reputation and credibility is more important than anything else. Issue is closed While Abhinav Bindra could not be reached as he was away in China for the Asian Games,his father Dr A S Bindra said,Notice will be replied to under Abhinavs signatures on his return from the Asian Games. The subject is closed. Why an issue now for merely seeking his signatures? In the light of these terms and conditions,GMADA authorities were examining Bindras application and reviewing the proposed allotment of plot to him in Aerocity.
