K.K. Khandelwal, Directorate of Public Relations, Haryana, writes:
With reference to the sixth paragraph of the news report titled >“Web of political links helped Vadra’s land deals” (November 3, 2012) regarding allotment of 2.5 acres of land, I would like to state that the correct facts are as under:
First, the said 2.5 acres of land have been allotted in favour of the All India Freedom Fighters’ Organisation (AIFFO) at a rate of Rs.50.00 lakh per acre, and not Rs.50,000.00 per acre as mentioned.
Second, the 2.5 acre site is not situated in the Green Belt of the Industrial Model Township (IMT) as mentioned in the said report. The entire Green Belt, as per the Development Plan, has been developed as a Town Park for the benefit and use of the public in general. The allotted land forms a part of the plotted area of the IMT.
Further, the IMT Rohtak is situated on NH-10, and not NH-8 as mentioned in the report.
Third, the site has been allotted to a reputed non-profit organisation, the All India Freedom Fighters’ Organisation, on the specific condition that the plot would be used only for a memorial and museum on the freedom movement and the Constitution of India. Under no circumstances will the plot will be used for any other industrial or commercial purposes.
Chander Suta Dogra replies:
The reference to the 2.5 acre allotment for the memorial was primarily to bring out the links between Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and AIFFO General Secretary Satyanand Yajee, the owner of Onkareshwar Properties, but The Hindu erred in reporting the cost of the property, as Rs.50,000, instead of Rs.50.00 lakh, per acre. The error is regretted.
In a July 15, 2009 letter, from the office of the Chief Secretary of Haryana to the Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary of the Industries Department, regarding the construction of a memorial and naming the Industrial Model Township (IMT) Rohtak after the name, stated that the memorial should be created “in the Green Belt of the IMT.” The HSIDC was initially entrusted with the task of constructing the memorial, a decision which was revoked after public protests.
