Tribune News Service
Karnal, June 25
Alpha International City, a private township by Alpha Corp on the National Highway-44, has allegedly encroached upon more than 4-acre government land by constructing a road on it.
The land reportedly belongs to the Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC), which was earmarked for drain (khal) and revenue ‘rasta’ (lain). According to the Urban Local Bodies policy, the company had to give a land of equal value to the KMC or deposit the prevailing rate of the land.
The KMC authorities have issued notices to the management of the township, asking them either to vacate the land or transfer the equal or more land to the KMC, but to no avail.
A social worker told the The Tribune that the township has encroached upon the KMC land for the past several years and the officials had remained mute spectators. “Such encroachment is not possible without the connivance of MC officials. The state government must take an action,” he said.
Mohan Singh, DTP, KMC, said as per the norms, nobody could construct a road or structure on the land earmarked for drain (khal).
Rajiv Mehta, Commissioner, KMC, said the issue has been brought to his notice and he had asked the authorities concerned to check the record. “We have issued notices to them. They either have to vacate the land or transfer the equal or more land to the MC,” he added. “We have directed the township to vacate ‘khal’ land as it cannot be transferred. This policy of transferring the land is only for the defunct revenue ‘rastas’,” he added.
Meanwhile, Vikas Manhas, GM, Alphacorp, denied the allegations. He said they had been pursuing the case with the government since 2013. “We have sent reply to the notices. We are negotiating with the state government regarding the land in question. Alpha Corp believes in adhering to the law,” he said.
We adhere to law: Firm
We have sent a reply to the notices. We are negotiating with the state government regarding the land in question. Alpha Corp believes in adhering to the law. — Vikas Manhas, gm, Alpha Corp