Cheema cries land scam

Tribune News Service

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Jalandhar, January 8

Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Punjab Legislative Assembly Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday sought the resignation of Cabinet Minister Sunder Sham Arora alleging a land scam. Cheema alleged a prime property of Punjab Infotech had been sold at a throwaway price. Cheema sought a CBI inquiry into the case and said if the matter was not investigated the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) would approach the High Court and gherao the CM.

Cheema alleged that plot number A-32, Phase-8, Industrial Area, Mohali, for 31 acres was allotted by Punjab Infotech to JCT Limited in September 1984. He alleged the unit was sold by the official liquidator. Cheema alleged it was staggering as to why the MD of Punjab Infotech, acted as a mute spectator and allowed the sale of the property for mere Rs 95 crore for 31 acres, whereas the net worth of the prime location was between Rs 350 to Rs 400 crore.

Cheema alleged, “An asset management company was made as a facade to purchase the prime property from the official liquidator and then pass it on to the close associates of Industries Minister . The buyer of 31 acres of prime land, paid only 50 per cent of the sale price that is Rs 45 crore,” he said. Meanwhile, minister Sunder Sham Arora said, “The AAP is raising a baseless issue for political mileage. The Industries Department has answered on the issue twice earlier. The auction was held by a Central government agency as per the orders of the High Court. Our department has nothing to do with the sale.”