HimVani
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh unit of Congress today opposed the decision of the state government to allot agricultural land to Delhi-based DLF Universal Ltd to set up ultra-luxurious flats in the state.
While addressing mediapersons, state Congress president Kaul Singh Thakur alleged that government was promoting realtors in the state by diverting agricultural land to non-agricultural purposes. “DLF has recently given advertisements in newspapers inviting applications for the upcoming projects in the vicinity of Shimla and Kasauli,” he said.
‘We are totally against the decision of the government to allow realtor to build high-end cottages. The state BJP government is promoting land mafia,” he said. He alleged that there are reports that the government has identified a huge chunk of land around Shimla and Kasauli towns to be allotted to DLF as the company was planning to invest Rs 200 crore in these projects.
Lodging protest over this move, Thakur alleged that Shimla town was already facing problems of water shortage and traffic congestion. “By allowing such realtors to set up housing projects, the government was going to multiply the problems of the town. Moreover, the builders are alluring buyers by saying that even the outsiders (non-Himachal people) can purchase village land without seeking permission under Section 118 of Land reform Act,” he added.
Under this laws, only the state’s permanent residents can buy agricultural land in the state. Others who want to purchase land for non-agricultural purposes have to seek relaxations under Section 118 of the Land Reforms and Tenancy Act from the state government.
DLF’s Shimla residential project is said to be planned for Waknaghat on the Chandigarh-Shimla NH-22, whereas the Kasauli project is located close the state’s industrial hub near Baddi.
This statement by Congress president Kaul Singh Thakur about the land mafias and DLF intrusion in the state is still a tip of the iceberg. There is a lot more to be explored about the people fixing such deals with the insiders of the power corridor.
Special topogtaphic conditions and fragile ecology of Himalayan states cannot afford these ventures, hence discouraged in old provisions of Land Tenancy Act. Moreover such affluence is not required here at least by honest Himachalies.
The matter may be in focus at the onset of next assembly elections.
This statement by Congress president Kaul Singh Thakur about the land mafias and DLF intrusion in the state is still a tip of the iceberg. There is a lot more to be explored about the people fixing such deals with the insiders of the power corridor.
Special topogtaphic conditions and fragile ecology of Himalayan states cannot afford these ventures, hence discouraged in old provisions of Land Tenancy Act. Moreover such affluence is not required here at least by honest Himachalies.
The matter may be in focus at the onset of next assembly elections.
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