NEW DELHI: NEW DELHI: The AAP government is caught in yet another controversy opening up fresh ground for mudslinging. A letter has surfaced where senior IAS officer Shakuntala D Gamlin has complained to lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung accusing industries minister Satyendar Jain of “continuously pressuring” her to bring a proposal for conversion of industrial plots from leasehold to freehold.

The officer, whose appointment earlier as the acting chief secretary had triggered a turf war between chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Jung, has stated that rules do now allow for such conversion without prior clearances from the LG.

READ ALSO: Shakuntala Gamlin responds to AAP charges in letter to LG

Gamlin has put on record that Jain expressed his “annoyance” over her reservations to prepare a cabinet note. In her letter, the officer, who is principal secretary (industries), has stated, “The industries minister had been continuously pressuring me to submit a note for the council of ministers proposing conversion of industrial plots from leasehold to freehold even after facts pertaining to legal ramifications of the case that the matter was not within the competence of Delhi government had been brought to his notice.”

READ ALSO: Gamlin takes charge ignoring CM; BJP attempting coup — AAP govt

However, Satyendra Jain has denied pressuring Gamlin. He, however, admitted to have sought a proposal on conversion of industrial plots to freehold for a scheme pertaining to allotments made over two decades ago. “If asking for a proposal and its status in weekly review meetings is putting pressure, then I have nothing to say. If Gamlin had reservations she should have written to me. Why would she choose to write to the LG? If there was a mandatory clearance required from the LG, why wouldn’t I seek it? I have no problem taking the matter to the LG,” Jain told TOI.

READ ALSO: AAP govt insulting northeast people, Rijiju says

Rejecting Gamlin’s assertions in the letter, the minister denied being apprised of clearances where LG’s approval was required.

“Due to oversight or otherwise, some conversion of industrial plots had been ordered in Delhi without the involvement of land owning agency (DDA) and the matter is said to be under scrutiny of the vigilance department,” Gamlin has pointed in the letter.

READ ALSO: Will keep watch on Shakuntala Gamlin's term as chief secretary, Kejriwal says

The senior IAS officer also said that as per rules Delhi government can only be involved in the administration of land through the LG who acts in these matters on the advice of DDA in his capacity as its chairman. “The Union home ministry in 1961 had enunciated a policy for acquisition, development and lease administration of lands in Delhi for various purposes,” Gamlin wrote in her letter.

This ‘Nazul land’ is held in the President’s name with the LG being given powers to administer it. “The home ministry had not identified Delhi government as one of the developers of this land. DDA framed rules for development and disposal of Nazul lands in 1981, which are in operation,” the letter adds.

Reacting to claims that the government was trying to help corporates by proposing a freehold plan for industrial plots, Jain said, “This plan pertains to small plots allotted two decades ago in areas like Bawana to relocate small industries. The demand for freehold is long pending and was part of our election promises. The controversy is nothing but politicization of an issue aimed at ending corruption and exploitation of owners of small industries.”

Read this story in Hindi: गैमलिन ने दिल्ली के मंत्री की जंग से की शिकायत