'Hooda forced farmers to sell land' - Real Estate India

??|?? October 10, 2012 ?? 08:35pm ??|Contributed by manoja

Haryana Govt Rigged Bidding Terms To Favour DLF, Says Kejriwal

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi: Mocking Union ministers P Chidambaram, Salman Khurshid and Veerappa Moily for their defence of Robert Vadra, activistturned-politician Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday pointed out that in 2007, Haryana government handed over 30 acres of land it had acquired for a hospital to DLF for its SEZ venture. He noted that Vadra?s company, North India IT Parks, acquired 50% stake in DLF SEZ Holdings. The acquisition was stayed by the Punjab and Haryana HC which made scathing observations against the government for acquiring land for ?colourable purpose? and for ?showering favours? on DLF on the ?pretext of public purpose?.

Citing another instance of alleged collusion between Haryana government and DLF, Kejriwal said the Hooda government forced farmers around Manesar to resort to distress sale of their land after creating a scare that government was about to acquire it.

?Word was spread that government was set to acquire land at the rate of Rs 12 lakh per acre. Simultaneously, six private companies which were fronts for DLF arrived on the scene offering a higher rate ? Rs 20 lakh per acre. Though this was well below the market rate, farmers fell for the bait. Those who resisted were served with acquisition notices under Section 9 of the Land Acquisition Act. The acquisition order was cancelled as soon as all the land had gone to the companies. Soon, DLF got the licence,? Kejriwal alleged, stressing that the court has restrained DLF from undertaking further development.

The activist also gave the example of how the Haryana government rigged bidding terms to favour DLF with the project for developing and maintaining a 350-acre golf course. He said that at the time of evaluation of bid, the criteria was modified to include ?experience? in developing a golf course. Kejriwal said this was tailor made for DLF and resulted in the ouster of the two other contenders ? Unitech and Country Heights ? although they were ready to pay more to the exchequer.

He also said the Haryana government took upon itself the responsibility of acquiring all necessary permissions from the Centre: something that showed its anxiety to go the extra mile for DLF and contradicted the claim of DLF and Haryana government of an ?arms length? business relationship.

In another instance of alleged ?quid pro quo??, the antigraft campaigner said the Haryana government increased the population density for Gurgaon-Manesar urban complex plan 2031 from 250 to 625 persons per hectare. This was meant primarily to benefit DLF?s Phase V project, Kejriwal said. Rebutting denials issued by DLF, Kejriwal said documents submitted by Vadra admitted that he received an unsecured loan of Rs 65 crore. ?Is it normal business practice to give an advance of 90% of the amount of transaction and let it remain with the seller for more than two years without even bothering to take possession of the land???

The activist also challenged DLF?s claim that it had sold the Aralias penthouse for Rs 11 crore. ?The value for Aralias apartment was Rs 89 lakh in 2009-2010 and suddenly it becomes Rs 10.4 crore in 2010-2011,?? he said, quoting balance sheets. On the seven Magnolia apartments, Kejriwal said while DLF claimed that it sold each flat for Rs 5 crore, Vadra?s balance sheets said that he got all seven in the complex for that amount.

Attacking the government including ministers Chidambaram and Khurshid for defending Vadra, Kejriwal said, ?What is the relationship between Vadra and the Congress? Why are ministers defending him? when the country?s finance minister says that there is no need for income tax scrutiny, he is sending a message down the line not to touch the case.??

Countering questions on why he did not approach the court with the proof, Kejriwal said elected leaders like PM and Haryana CM Hooda should resign if they were incapable of checking corruption. Former law minister Shanti Bhushan, who was also at the press conference, said agencies could take action in this case as there were enough provisions under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Evidence Act.

Times View

WKejriwal hatever the and merits IAC have of the levelled specific against allegations Robert Arvind Vadra most recently and others in the past, it must be acknowledged that they have helped bring the issue of corruption to centre stage. They are also promising to break the cosy arrangements that often exist between political rivals on such issues. However, it would be best if they avoided the kind of grandstanding they are now indulging in. If they have serious charges against a ?top political leader?, as they say they have, why wait for a couple of days to reveal them? If they feel they have real solid evidence, they should reveal it without any further delay, else they should refrain from what smacks of a marketing gimmick.

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