Land allotment to HMT to be cancelled in case of irregularity:Govt

Kochi, Jan 28 (UNI) The Kerala Government today informed the High Court that the allotment of land to Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) will be cancelled if any irregularity was found in the public sector company's land deal with Mumbai-based Blue Star Realtors to set up a 'cyber city' here.

Additional Advocate General Vengannor C Nair made this submission before a Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice H L Dattu and Mr Justice K M Joseph.

Submitting that ''some mistakes took place'', the Additional Advocate General said if any irregularities were found in the deal between HMT and Blue Star Realtors, the Government would even cancel the mutation effected to HMT.

The Additional Advocate General made this submission when the Bench was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Mr Joey Kaitharath, General Secretary, Human Rights Protection Council, seeking a CBI probe into the HMT land deal.

The Bench also issued notices to the State Industries department, the Union Government, CBI and HMT. A notice was also issued through special messenger to Blue Star Realtors, which bought 70 acres of land from HMT to set up a 'cyber city' at Kalmaserry here.

The petitioner also prayed that the sale of 70 acres of HMT land to Blue Star Realtors be declared void on the ground that HMT did not have the right to sell the property, which was assigned to it by the State for industrial purpose.

The case would be posted for hearing after the service of notices was completed.

UNI XR ARC GD SB RS1731