Govt U-turn: Ramdev Trust to get back land

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 17

In a complete u-turn on its earlier decision of cancelling the 28-acre land lease allotted in favour of Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust of Ramdev in Kandagaht area of Solan, Himachal Cabinet today decided to consider restoration of the land to the Yog Guru’s Haridwar-based Trust, ignoring the illegalities detected during investigation.

In a surprise move, which has raised questions over the sudden change of heart of the Congress regime, the Cabinet today decided to consider the plea of the trust to restore the 28-acre lease at Kehlog village under Kandagaht tehsil in Solan district. However, the decision will be subject to unconditional withdrawal of the writ petition filed in this regard by the Trust.

The Congress, while in the Opposition, had claimed that the land at Kehlog valued at Rs 35.4 crore, but was allotted to Ramdev’s Trust at a throwaway price. The issue had featured prominently in the charge-sheet prepared by the Congress against Dhumal regime. The Cabinet today decided that the government would consider restoring the land on which a branch of Yog and Ayurved related Medical Science Research and Health Centre at Haridwar would come up.

It was on February 19, 2013 that Virbhadra Cabinet cancelled the 28-acre lease (96.2 bighas) and on February 22, 2013 the Solan district administration took possession of the land, shortly before the inauguration of the Yog and herbal project by Ramdev. The softening of the Congress regime on the project by the Yog Guru, close to the saffron party, has led to a lot of speculation in political circles.

Revenue and Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur and Transport Minister GS Bali had some reservations regarding the inclusion of the Indira Holiday Home for Children land in the lease given to the Trust. However, on examination of the revenue record there and then it was discovered that the chunk of land for the Children’s Home was not part of the lease. There was not much opposition to the government move of restoring the land to the trust as it was pointed out by some ministers that the coming up of the project will generate employment opportunities for the villagers in the vicinity of the site, so the land must be given back.

The Dhumal Cabinet had approved the project on January 8, 2010 and the lease was finally registered on February 2, 2010. The land at Kehlog was given to the trust on payment of Rs 17 lakh on a 99-year lease at a token annual fee of Re 1.

The irregularities

While cancelling the lease, the irregularities pointed out included change in the project site to Kehlog while permission for land purchase from the Ayurveda Department was taken for Chauhada 

Besides, Balakrishan, close aide of Ramdev who had the general power of attorney (GPA), further authorised one Lalit Mohan to sign the lease 

The Deputy Commissioner (Solan) signed as lessee and Lalit Mohan as lesser on the lease deed