Judicial probe into Himachal land deals ‘meaningless’,says Congress

In his maiden press conference here,Pathania said the Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal had gone back on his assurance,given in the state Vidhan Sabha,to repeal the HP Apartment and Property Regulations Act. He urged the Dhumal to scrap the law before waiting for any recommendation from the Vidhan Sabha’s panel or a judicial commission.

The senior Congress MLA also came down heavily against the government on the private universities issue,and stated his party would not have opposed the private universities,if their objective was to provide quality education. “ We are not opposed to attracting investments in the education sector but indiscriminate opening of the universities whose real objective is to build apartments,resorts and make business defies the purpose of the Act allowing such institutions ”,he said.

The Congress chief spokesman said that after having committed serious violations in allowing the mega housing project of Bamloe builders in Shimla’s forest areas,the government was now preparing to give its assent to a spa resort at the heritage Bantony estate in the middle of town. “ There are people belonging to the ruling party and influential politicians having interests in the project”,he alleged.

The PCC has already set-up a committee headed by former Minister G S Bali to prepare a list of violations committed by the state government. All illegal land deals and favours given to outsiders ,who had bought agriculture land in the state in violation of section 118 will be part of the list. The committee will submit its report to the AICC in-charge Birender Singh,a Haryana Leader,for follow-up action.