Nagpur: The state government on Thursday claimed on the floor of the Legislative Council that the proper e-tendering process was followed while giving land to the Patanjali business group in the Multi model International Hub Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN) industrial hub. Minister of state for industry Madan Yerawar was replying to a calling-attention motion.
The yearly rent is Rs 625 per square metre, which amounts to Rs 25,29,288 for the said plot per year. Mr Yerawar denied that the price of land is Rs 100 crore per acre, as alleged by the Opposition.
Congress MLC Sanjay Dutt was furious with the reply and demanded that it be kept pending. However, the council chairman gave a ruling on the issue, saying that he, accompanied by the Opposition leader, group leaders and minister, would visit the MIHAN project and see the situation on the ground.
The controversy surrounding the land given to Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali project has haunted the last three sessions of the Legislature. The MIHAN project has been designed to attract investments in Nagpur. Mr Yerawar said that there were no irregularities in the land allotment to Patanjali. “The plot was given following all the rules.
The government has put a condition of starting work on building the project within six months of getting all permissions, and the project shall be completed in 18 months. There has been no special favour to this company,” said Mr Yerawar.
But, Opposition members were not satisfied. Opposition leader Dhananjay Munde said, “There is massive corruption in this allotment. The minister is trying to hide it. There should be an inquiry into this.”
Slamming Mr Yerawar, Mr Dutt alleged, “Everyone knows the relations of Baba Ramdev and today’s BJP. This land has been given at a minimal price. But the minister won’t be able to say that.”
Land controversy
The controversy has haunted the last three sessions of the Legislature.
Mr Yerawar said that there were no irregularitiesin land allotment to Patanjali.
The MIHAN project has been designed to attract investments.
