punjab

Updated: Nov 18, 2015 10:50 IST

Asserting that strict action would be taken against people involved in illegal land deals during the Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Congress government in the state, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday said that facts were being collected and those found guilty would be taken to task.

“Around 20 cases of corruption have come to the notice of the state government. Two of these cases have been handed over to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) while the Dhingra Commission is probing deals made by Robert Vadra (Congress presisdent Sonoa Gandhi;s son-in-law) in Gurgaon and will submit its report soon” said Khattar while addressing a public meeting in Jind.

Slams Hooda govt for graft, regional bias

He also accused the Hooda government of encouraging corrupt practices and regional bias in the state. “The previous government had promoted nepotism and regionalism and people have witnessed a fragmented Haryana during its tenure,” he added.

Without naming anybody, Khattar also targeted previous chief ministers for taking development projects to their respective districts. “In the past, chief ministers had developed Bhiwani, Hisar, Sirsa and Rohtak, but the present BJP government in the state has decided to ensure equal development in all districts,” he said while adding that priority in development would be given to those districts which had so far been lagging behind.

Hooda facilitated land deals to please his bosses: Birender

Accusing Hooda of facilitating illegal land deals to appease his bosses in Delhi, Union rural development minister Birender Singh said, “People who had looted farmers are now trying to become their well-wishers.”

He added, “Under the previous government, around 20,000 acres of land of the poor farmers of the state have been acquired and released to builders and colonisers at throwaway prices.”

Refuting allegations levelled by Hooda that Birender had also procured two change of land use (CLU) certificates during the Congress regime, the Union minister said, “I will resign as minister and renounce politics if these allegations are proved true.” ‘ In the presence of Khattar, Birender also wondered as to why chief ministers enjoyed all powers. “During the Congress rule, I was finance minister, but I did not have any power to take decisions. Had I been the CM, I would not have allowed Hooda to even walk for two steps,” he added. “Sometimes the chief minister (Khattar) gets angry with me, but I want to say that in a government, only the CM enjoys all powers”, he said and added, “But I would also praise Khattar for asking me how to decentralise his powers”.

Birender assured his total support to the people of Jind, his home district, for its development. “In the next four years, we will work to make Jind as Jannat (heaven) of Haryana,” he added.

Reacting to Birender’s repeated criticism over negligence of Jind district, Khattar demanded Rs 500 crore as central share from the Union minister for upgradation of rural roads in the state.