Railways objects to lease clauses

Over a month after the Rae Bareli Rail Coach factory controversy began, the Centre and state has now locked horns on the lease deed for the land.

Over a month after the Rae Bareli Rail Coach factory controversy began, the Centre and state has now locked horns on the lease deed for the land.

The trouble had begun on October 12, with state cancelling the land allotment to the Union Railway Ministry. On Monday, the government handed over the lease document to the ministry officials, according to which the land will be leased to the Railways for 90 years. The ministry, however, has found certain provisions of the deed 8220;unacceptable8221; and is now preparing to move a formal objection about them.

The fresh trouble comes days before the hearing of the case in the Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court. In the previous hearing, the court had asked both parties 8212; the state government and the Railway Ministry 8212; to complete all formalities of the lease before the next hearing, scheduled for November 26.

On the Railways8217; list of 8220;unacceptables8221; the topmost is the provision that says that the state government retains the right to cancel the lease whenever it wants to.

8220;In view of what occurred in the recent past, this provision is unacceptable. The government has made this provision without any conditions, meaning that it can cancel it at its will. So despite investing crores on the project, we will never be sure that project will continue,8221; said a senior railway official.

The objectionable provision is the state government8217;s insistence that the Railways cannot appoint any third party 8212; private contractor 8212; to work on the land. The Railways also wants the state to specify what will happen to the land or the lease after the 90-year period expires. Railway officials say the ministry is planning to send in its objections in writing by Tuesday, asking the government to modify the clauses before Wednesday8217;s hearing.

Maulshree Seth

Maulshree Seth is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, based in Lucknow. With over 15 years of experience in mainstream journalism, she has built a formidable reputation for her on-ground reporting across Uttar Pradesh. Her expertise spans a wide array of critical beats, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development. Authoritativeness Maulshree’s work is characterized by depth and historical context. Her coverage of high-stakes state elections and landmark judicial rulings has established her as an authoritative voice on the intersection of law and politics in Northern India. She is frequently recognized for her ability to gain access to primary sources and for her nuanced understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive the world's most populous sub-national entity. Trustworthiness & Ethical Journalism Her reporting is rooted in rigorous fact-checking and a steadfast dedication to neutral, unbiased storytelling. By prioritizing field-based verification—often traveling to the most remote corners of the state—she ensures that her readers receive a truthful and comprehensive view of events. ... Read More