Shimla, February 17 Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu announced the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) on Tuesday to probe "benami" (anonymous) land deals at Gaggal Airport in the Kangra district and Gagret in the Una district.
Responding to a query from the Congress MLA from the Gagret assembly seat, Rakesh Kalia, during Question Hour in the assembly, Sukhu said the government will investigate cases of anonymous land purchases and alleged commissions paid during the process at the two locations.
He said that if anyone has made "benami" transactions, their land will be confiscated and no compensation will be provided. If any such case comes to light during the investigation, strict action will be taken against those involved, he added.
"The state government is taking strict action against corruption and will also take action against irregularities in the purchase and sale of land at Gaggal Airport and Gagret," he asserted, adding that an outsider is permitted to purchase land in the state only under Section 118 of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act.
The chief minister asked the Congress legislator for Gagret to provide any documents he possesses regarding these matters to the SIT.
In response to the original query, Sukhu said that over Rs 1,460 crore has been distributed to 4,649 people so far under the proposed land acquisition for the expansion of Gaggal Airport in Kangra. This amount has been transferred to affected people's bank accounts as per the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act.
In a supplementary question, Kalia made allegations against a former Uttarakhand government official, alleging that he was involved in an alleged attempt to overthrow the Himachal Pradesh government last year. The MLA further alleged that the official was exploiting local people and "importing" the culture of Uttar Pradesh into the state.
A complaint of an Rs 8-lakh fraud had been filed against the said persons, but the investigation is stalled, Kalia said.
In response to a question from the BJP MLA from the Barsar assembly seat, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Sukhu said that underground ducts being constructed in Shimla for electricity and telecom cables and water pipelines are completely safe and will not cause any harm to the city.
He said that once these ducts are complete, the problem of overhead wires in the state capital -- a prime tourist destination -- would be resolved, augmenting the beauty of the city as there would be no further digging of roads to lay electric telephone wires and water pipes.
The ducts stretching from Chota Shimla, through Scandal Point, up to Chaura Maidan are being constructed at a cost of Rs 150 crore and there would be no compromise on the quality, Sukhu said.
He also informed that the government is working on a project worth Rs 500 crore to expand the market complex in Sabzi Mandi.
Regarding the release of MLA area development funds, the Sukhu said the government will consult the opposition on this matter after the ongoing discussion on revenue deficit grant is over. He told opposition MLAs not to issue too many MLA fund letters in view of the economic crises faced by the state.