Punjab MLAs ready ‘plot’ to call off Tata Camelot deal

During the meeting held in the Vidhan Sabha in the evening,the executive committee members representing SAD,BJP and Congress unanimously agreed that the realty windfall promised by the company – Rs 82.5 lakh in cash and a 2,500 square-feet flat to each member — may not materialise and the “deal” is best called off. The meeting also discussed how to cancel the contract and on what terms,including returning money accepted by members from the company. Those present in the meeting included former Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon,senior BJP leader Balramji Das Tandon and former Congress MLAs Avtar Brar and Harminder Singh Pradhan.

Kahlon,when contacted,said the meeting was between the consultation committee and the executive committee members of the MLAs’ Society. “We went to Mumbai on behalf of all the Society members to speak to the company officials in Mumbai as the project has not taken off for many years now. Tata Camelot has sought 15 days time and promised to send its team to Chandigarh. After the company gives its reply,the Society will reach a final decision,” he said.

Tandon said in today’s meeting they also solicited views of the other members.

The much-hyped project in Kansal village ran into legal wrangles following the Punjab and Haryana High Court orders on Sukhna Lake catchment area pertaining to environmental concerns. It was to be the Tricity’s first skyscraper with 1,500-1,700 high-end flats spread over 53 acres. Of this,21.2 acres were for the MLAs’ society,28.7 acres for the Defence Services Self-Supporting Society and the rest for another private party. The high profile-members include Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal,Union Minister Preneet Kaur,both the sitting and former Speakers,ministers,former ministers,MLAs and former MLAs.

The Punjab MLAs’ Cooperative House Building Society with nearly 100 members was formed in 2000-01 by pooling in Rs 5 lakh each,entitling each member to 500 sq yard plot. Of the Rs 82.5 lakh cash,Tata paid Rs 33 lakh after signing the agreement. Two installments of Rs 24.75 lakh each were to be paid after clearance and starting of the project .