Taj Oh!

This week, the UP governor refused sanction to the CBI to prosecute Mayawati in the Taj Corridor case. Here8217;s looking back at the unfolding of a controversy

Sept 4, 1996: Taj Trapezium Zone TTZ established to conform to Supreme Court8217;s SC directives for conservation of the Taj. The Taj Corridor is part of it. In 1997, the Planning Commission sets up Mission Management Board MMB for the project, consisting of UP and central officials, under the chairmanship of the chief secretary, UP

March 2001: Central Pollution Control Board CPCB and consultancy firm German Technical Cooperation propose the Taj Corridor Project, to give a facelift to areas surrounding Agra8217;s major monuments along the Yamuna

January 2002: Chairman, CPCB, writes to Secretary, Environment in UP, to formulate a project proposal. Secretary, Union environment ministry, sends letters to UP government, describing the procedure of release of funds and so on

February 2002: Union environment minister asks the UP chief secretary regarding projects pending approval by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs CCEA

May 2002: Mayawati sworn in as CM

June 2002: Union environment ministry sends reminders to UP chief secretary to submit proposals

July 2002: MMB meets under UP chief secretary D.S. Bagga, with state and central officials

August 2002: MMB approves in principle cost of TTZ at Rs 175 crore. Central Pollution Board also present. To seek approval from CCEA

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Oct 2002: Mayawati sends a letter to Union Environment Minister, T.R. Baalu, asking for approval of CCEA and Centre

Oct 2002: MMB meets under Bagga, decides to make Detailed Project Reports DPR under TTZ. Also, to release funds for commencement of work/preparation of DPRs and Techno Feasibility Report. File moves to CM for approval through minister, environment, Naseem Siddiqui. Principal Secretary to CM, P.L. Punia, raises query on what specific points CM8217;s approval is sought. Environment Secretary R.K. Sharma endorses MMB decisions. Punia signs on file, 8220;CM has approved8221;

Nov 2002: Environment Secretary Sharma issues order to release Rs 17 crore for DPR compilation and commencement of work

Feb-March 2003: Bagga makes two notes on project file seeking to know from Sharma how the project got off when DPR was not approved by the expenditure finance panel and the CCEA

June 2003: Taj Corridor plan hits the media

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July 2003: SC directs CBI to conduct an enquiry into the execution of the Taj Heritage Corridor project. CM Mayawati suspends R.K. Sharma on charges of procedural lapses. Mayawati gives clean chit to herself, Siddiqui and Bagga. She accuses BJP-led NDA government at Centre of plan to fix her

August-Sept 2003: Mayawati resigns. CBI interrogates Mayawati

Oct 2003: CBI registers FIR, informs SC it wants to inquire into Mayawati8217;s role. Mayawati insists she had no role in the project apart from giving her opinion on routine matters. CBI investigates if Mayawati colluded with her officials to start project without central clearance. It hinges on Punia8217;s note on file see Oct 2002

May 2004: Punia gives first testimony before CBI. Implicates Mayawati.

July 2004: Punia gives sworn affidavit to Lucknow court: CM said work could go on without CCEA clearance. Mayawati insists even if approval given, note was for releasing funds to prepare DPRs and feasibility reports and not for construction work

Oct 2003: CBI registers two FIRs in connection with irregularities in the Taj case and Mayawati8217;s disproportionate income. It lists Mayawati8217;s properties and bank accounts and puts her worth at Rs 60 crore. Mayawati8217;s counsel wants to delink two cases, says they are not connected

Nov 2004: CBI asks attorney general AG for legal opinion

Jan 2005: AG says no offence made out against Mayawati

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March 2005: CBI informs SC that based on AG8217;s opinion it has no option but to close Taj case. SC asks for an investigation report from CVC, a legality in case the CBI is under political pressure

May 2005: CVC submits report to SC alleging 8220;direct evidence8221; of Mayawati8217;s involvement, again based on two statements made by Punia to the CBI and lack of central approval

Feb 2007: CBI files police report under Section 1732 CrPC with all material regarding Taj Case against Mayawati and her officers. Since sanction to prosecute not applied for accused being public servants, CBI seeks time. Permission sought through CM Mulayam Singh Yadav

May 2007: CM forwards request to governor the competent authority to accord sanction on May 8, last day of UP voting

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June 2007: Governor refuses sanction, saying 8220;no evidence to remotely suggest any ground of having a dishonest intention, no reference of money or quantum of money in the approval of the project.8221;

Compiled by Vrinda Gopinath