Raj Assembly rocks over land sale issue

Jaipur, Mar 19 (UNI) The issue of sale of lands in sensitive border areas in Barmer, Jaisalmer and some other districts rocked the Rajasthan Assembly today as members from the Opposition and Treasury Benches indulged in heated exchanges.

The issue figured in the House during the Zero Hour through a adjournment motion notice given by Sanyam Lodha (Congress).

Mr Lodha said huge lands were sold to the IPCL Company through the son of a BJP leader in the bordering areas and the state government had not taken any action despite repeated demands, raised from different quarters including a BJP MP.

Mr Lodha's statement evoked strong protests from the Treasury Benches as the ruling party members were annoyed over his reference for the BJP leader's involvement.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Singh Rathore, Government Chief whip and several BJP members involved in verbal duel with Mr Lodha and other Congress members.

Deputy Speaker Ram Narain Vishnoi also took exception to Mr Lodha's reference. Mr Vishnoi said how could the member could drag the party in this affair.

Mr Lodha reiterated saying that the concerned person was an office bearer in a pro-BJP organisation and also used to attend district grievances redressal committee. To substantiate his charges Mr Lodha also referred a letter, written by then Jodhpur Range DIG N R K Reddy to the Prinicipal Secretary in the CMO.

Uproarious scenes witnessed in the House when Mr Lodha levelled charges of nexus between the son of BJP leader and the officials of the cooperative departments, the district collector and even people holding higher positions in the government.

Food and Civil Supply Minister Ghanshyam Tiwari tried to normalise the situation and made a statement on behalf of the government.

Mr Tiwari told the House that normal land deals were reported in these districts during the recent years but no sensitive defence land had been sold to any company.

He said there were instances of abnormal rise in land deals in certain areas and hence the government had ordered a probe into the deals which involved certain revenue, stamp duty and other departmental issues.

The minister said on the basis of findings of preliminary probe, notices had been served to 25 sub-registrars and four sub registrars suspended.

UNI SS SW AS1756