Launching a scathing attack on previous Congress government in Haryana, Union Minister Birender Singh today said Change of Land Use licenses (CLU) used to be given in a "secret" manner under the Bhupinder Hooda regime and demanded a probe in "suspicious" land deals.
"During Bhupinder Singh Hooda regime, CLUs used to be given in a very secret manner and even I was not aware of it...During last five years of Congress regime in Haryana, a lot many were obliged with CLUs," Rural Development Minister Birender Singh said while addressing media here today.
Singh said Haryana government should hold an inquiry in all land deals which are suspicious in nature.
"Land deals in Haryana which raise questions should be inquired into. I ask the state government that it should probe thoroughly," he said.
"During 10 years of (Congress) regime (in Haryana) inquiry should be held if procedure was not followed in land deals and to know who were the persons behind such shady deals," he said.
The minister also said an inquiry should be held into release of about 19,000 acres out of 78,000 acres of land acquired from farmers. He said notice section 4 had been issued in the matter but it was later withdrawn.
"It is suspected that it was a ploy to benefit a few developers and builders," he alleged.
"Hooda was chief minister (in Haryana)...Therefore he should face it," he said.
On scrapped Nano City project of Hotmail founder Sabeer Bhatia, the minister claimed that the Hooda government had been keen on allotting farm land for the project in Panchkula, rather than foothill land.
Asked about Supreme Court's stay on holding Panchayat elections in Haryana, he said some states have carried out similar amendments as made by Haryana government.
"Academicians say, if educated people come, then they can contribute in a better way," he said.
Supreme Court has stayed the operation of recent changes in state election laws that have made certain educational qualifications compulsory for contesting Panchayat polls.
The apex court will hear the matter on Monday after Haryana government rushed to the court and sought an urgent hearing on the entire issue.
