Illegal hotel under patronage of Dr Sidhu, alleges Manna

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 19

Mandeep Singh Manna, former Congress leader, on Tuesday accused former Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu of shielding the owner of a hotel constructed illegally.

Showing photographs of her inaugurating the hotel on June 15, he said the land was registered on the name of Manjit Kaur as a residential building in January 2014 but a hotel came up there without getting a certificate of change of land use. He said the MC had issued notices to the owner of the building and issued demolition orders in December 2017 and also February this year.

According to manna, no action was taken due to the “patronage” of the Dr Sidhu and her husband (Local Bodies Minister) Navjot Singh Sidhu. He said MC Commissioner Sonali Giri had also written to the authorities concerned for disconnecting water, sewerage and power connection of the hotel. Besides, she also sought action from the police commissioner in February this year. He said action should be taken over illegal constructions.

Dr Sidhu refuted the charges. She said she did not inaugurate the hotel and she was there to take part in her birthday event organised by her supporters while returning from Golden Temple. She claimed that she was not aware if the hotel was illegal as it was already operational.

Meanwhile, MC Commissioner Sonali Giri said the process of sealing the hotel would be carried out soon. As far as demolition is concerned, the hotels’ association and the Punjab government are discussing a one-time settlement policy, she added.