Khangura questions Badal’s interest in ‘Crown Town’ - 21/09/2009

Ludhiana, September 21: Qila Raipur MLA Jassi Khangura today questioned the apparent personal interest of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in the Crown Town housing colony development on Pakhowal Road near here.  The Chief Minister appeared keen to inaugurate it despite the fact that it did not have the mandatory approval from the Greater Ludhiana Development Authority (GLADA).

He sought a CBI inquiry into the entire issue, asking how the promoters, including former MLA Jagdish Singh Garcha, who happen to be close to the Chief Minister, managed to issue advertisements and book plots without the mandatory approval from the GLADA.

Khangura disclosed the GLADA had complained to the Ludhiana police for registration of an FIR against the developers on August 28, but the police had failed to act due to apparent pressure from the government. Khangura said it was therefore necessary that the inquiry should be conducted by an independent agency such as the CBI which cannot come under the influence of the state government.

Mr Badal was scheduled to inaugurate the colony on September 18 despite the fact that it was not approved. Subsequently the inauguration was postponed to September 22.  Khangura said he had learnt that the concerned authorities, at the behest of the Chief Minister, were rushing through issuing the licence to the colonizers without following the norms.

He asked as how was it possible that the colony could get approval in such a short time?  The promoters had applied only about a week ago, after media reports appeared of the Chief Minister coming to inaugurate an unapproved colony.

“The Chief Minister’s interest seems to be more than obvious”, Khangura observed, while asking, “otherwise why should he agree in the first place to inaugurate an unapproved colony,  and subsequently take personal interest in ensuring that the licence is issued so that he can inaugurate it on September 22?”

The firebrand Congress legislator from Qila Raipur pointed out that there are scores of other colonizers who have applied for licences and have been awaiting the same, often for years. “How come Crown Town manage it in such a brief time”?, he asked, while remarking, “obviously the other developers do not have godfathers like the Chief Minister”.

Jassi stated that whilst the Garcha’s are finished politically at the very least they are endeavouring to involve the ruling family financially.  Of greater concern is that the CM should have anything to do with these hardcore criminals. By doing so repeatedly, the Badals are legitimising criminality in Punjab. Khangura added that the CM should immediately withdraw all sanctions for this development given to date, otherwise the next Government will take the strongest possible action against the owners, promoters and officials involved in the clearances.

Khangura said this case was a perfect example of why investors have shied away from Punjab after this government took over. “While genuine investors are discouraged and victimized, those close to the Badals are given special treatment”, he said, referring to the pending approvals of so many projects.

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