By Bisheshwar Mishra /
New Delhi: Congress today charged the BJP of indulging in land scam by violating the law of land which rocked the Rajya Sabha as members in the treasury benches vehemently objected to the matter on the ground it was sub-judice. However, deputy chairman P J Kurien said that the chairman (Hamid Ansari) had permitted it.
Congress leader Anand Sharma raised the matter during zero hour alleging a major land-scam had taken place in Gujarat where land had been allotted in violation of the National Sanctuaries Act. Sharma said that Parliament had passed laws and there is a separate ministry to protect endangered wildlife.
“Now we have a situation…(where there is) serious violation” of laws and guidelines relating to environmental protection in Gujarat. He said in violation of norms, 422 acre of land at a rate of Rs 15 square feet was alloted in an eco-sensitive area in Gujarat in 2010. Ownership of land falling in wildlife sanctuaries cannot be changed, he said.
Even as Sharma was speaking, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi raised a point of order and said “if a matter is pending in a court, no member can raise the issue in the House. He demanded a ruling from the Chair, to which Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said he would give one later.
When some BJP members including Manshukh Lal Mandaviya objected vociferously to what Sharma was saying, Congress members countered them. As BJP members kept objecting to Sharma, Kurien said the Chair has permitted the Congress leader to raise the issue.
Yesterday Congress party in Gujarat alleged that the then Gujarat government headed by Narendra Modi had made costlier land offer to a trust which wanted to build a cow shelter in area near Gir Sanctuary, but it allotted land in the same location at “throwaway” rates to a private firm, whose partners were linked with Anar Patel, the current CM daughter.