I came across this article in THE TIMES OF INDIA. Artilce is written in a matter-of-fact approach. Now people are taking this very casually. This is really scary:(
LSD
HP allows Priyanka to buy land next to President's Shimla retreat
24 Aug 2007, 0037 hrs IST,Jagdish Bhatt,TNN
SHIMLA: The 'Retreat', the summer home of the President of India in the scenic woodlands of Charabra near Shimla, is ready to receive a new neighbour. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is eyeing a four-bigha land near the presidential retreat for a summer getaway of her own.
Himachal Pradesh revenue secretary D S Dogra said the state government has received an application from Priyanka seeking its permission to buy a piece of land. According to section 118 of the state's Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, outsiders, even Himachalis who are not farmers are banned from buying land in the state. But for Priyanka, the daughter of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, the Virbhadra Singh-led Congress government has waived the condition.
"The Vadra family is now free to purchase the land it has in mind in Shimla," said Dogra. The state government is fully competent to waive the condition and there have been several such cases in the past, he added.
Sources said the Vadra family made at least two trips to Shimla in the past two years and had seen places on the outskirts of Shimla for a suitable land that could be made into a summer home.
"They have been eyeing Mashobra and Charabra areas, about 10 km from Shimla, and have now finally settled for Charabra," the sources said. The land in Charabra is about four-and-half bighas and located near the 'Retreat', they said.
The land is owned by "private persons", sources added
HP govt. gift to the daughter of the nation!
HP govt. gift to the daughter of the nation!
The land is owned by "private persons", sources added
Whats scary?
Looks like the land is privately owned and is not State Govt property. So one private party is selling to another private party (Priyanka and her husband here) at a mutually agreed price. Which Qazi is itching, where and why?
Turns out (it appears) Himachal Pradesh has some stupid law that does not allow non "farmers" from purchasing certain types of land in Himachal. And it appears this stipulation of the law can be waived by Govt on a case by case basis and it has done so. How Priyanka has met those waiver conditions and what those waiver conditions are, if any, is not known - this is what the Indian press ought to find out and report - merely attending press conferences, eating free biryani and drinking free booze, and depending on handouts wont do it.
The stupid law shd not be in place in the first place. Second, it shd not give discretionary authority to the bureaucracy to waive conditions. Waiver conditions shd be transparent and accessible to all - so that if I or anyone else wants to bid on that piece of land, we can do so.
The sufferer here is the seller (though the sale is voluntary) coz if more buyers are allowed, the seller will get a better price.
Whats scary?
Looks like the land is privately owned and is not State Govt property. So one private party is selling to another private party (Priyanka and her husband here) at a mutually agreed price. Which Qazi is itching, where and why?
Turns out (it appears) Himachal Pradesh has some stupid law that does not allow non "farmers" from purchasing certain types of land in Himachal. And it appears this stipulation of the law can be waived by Govt on a case by case basis and it has done so. How Priyanka has met those waiver conditions and what those waiver conditions are, if any, is not known - this is what the Indian press ought to find out and report - merely attending press conferences, eating free biryani and drinking free booze, and depending on handouts wont do it.
The stupid law shd not be in place in the first place. Second, it shd not give discretionary authority to the bureaucracy to waive conditions. Waiver conditions shd be transparent and accessible to all - so that if I or anyone else wants to bid on that piece of land, we can do so.
The sufferer here is the seller (though the sale is voluntary) coz if more buyers are allowed, the seller will get a better price.
HP govt. gift to the daughter of the nation!
http://www.himachalproperties.com/hplandact.html
Extract
As per SECTION 118(2) of the said ACTnothing in SUB SECTION (I) shall be deemed to prohibit the transfer of land by any person in favour of :- ...
11. A NON AGRICULTURIST with the permission of State Government for the purpose that may be prescribed provided that a person who is a NON AGRICULTURIST but purchases land with the permission of State Government under this Section, shall, irrespective of such permission, continue to be a NON AGRICULTURIST for the purpose of this ACT:
http://www.himachalproperties.com/guidelines_to_get_government_permission_for_purchasing_land_in_himachal.html
Extract
Sr.No
Purpose for which land is sought to be transferred
Area of Land upto the Extent of
-----------------------
The property that Priyanka and her family is interested in is reported (in articled posted in original post) to be about 4.5 bighas. One acre is either 2.5 or 1.6 bighas (there are two bigha measures). So it is possible that Priyanka and family applied by promising to use the land primarily for say horticulture - I see nothing wrong if that is what she did and approval was obtained.
Extract
As per SECTION 118(2) of the said ACTnothing in SUB SECTION (I) shall be deemed to prohibit the transfer of land by any person in favour of :- ...
11. A NON AGRICULTURIST with the permission of State Government for the purpose that may be prescribed provided that a person who is a NON AGRICULTURIST but purchases land with the permission of State Government under this Section, shall, irrespective of such permission, continue to be a NON AGRICULTURIST for the purpose of this ACT:
http://www.himachalproperties.com/guidelines_to_get_government_permission_for_purchasing_land_in_himachal.html
Extract
Sr.No
Purpose for which land is sought to be transferred
Area of Land upto the Extent of
01
For Agriculture or Horticulture Purpose or for Both purposes
NOT EXCEEDING 4 ACRES
For Agriculture or Horticulture Purpose or for Both purposes
NOT EXCEEDING 4 ACRES
-----------------------
The property that Priyanka and her family is interested in is reported (in articled posted in original post) to be about 4.5 bighas. One acre is either 2.5 or 1.6 bighas (there are two bigha measures). So it is possible that Priyanka and family applied by promising to use the land primarily for say horticulture - I see nothing wrong if that is what she did and approval was obtained.
HP govt. gift to the daughter of the nation!
Bobus;40989The land is owned by "private persons", sources added
The stupid law shd not be in place in the first place. Second, it shd not give discretionary authority to the bureaucracy to waive conditions. Waiver conditions shd be transparent and accessible to all - so that if I or anyone else wants to bid on that piece of land, we can do so.
Agree with what Bobus said 100 per cent. We in India spend so much time watching and discussing what powerful ones do. If we see there is malpractice then law of the land should kick the butt whoever that is. In this case, the reporters should find out how did Priyanka receive right to buy Land in HP and whether or not she or congress politicians in HP govt broke any law. If Priyanka pays hefty money for this land then income tax department needs to find out how this money was acquired.
If nothing illegal then we need to leave Priyanka and family alone.
In the absence of transparency, Congress govt in HP, buying land in a prestigious location such as close to President's retreat does seem shaky and requires proper investigation especially when we know there is nepotism all the time.
I think we need to do Sanjju and Sallu on the way( rigorous imprisonment) with couple of politicians..that will stir the pot and send a message that don't take things for granted. India of today is not what we all have been used to. Got a find a judge who will bail the cat.
HP govt. gift to the daughter of the nation!
This is corruption, plain and simple. They Gandhi family will continue to screw India till the cows come home. The voters of Amethi have wrecked havoc on this nation.
HP govt. gift to the daughter of the nation!
ssppss;41025 This is corruption, plain and simple. [/quote]
Can you substantiate? How do you know? On the basis of what info? If it is merely an opinion, please ignore the questions.
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HP govt. gift to the daughter of the nation!
Bobus,
You mean to say, we should not have this law in Kashmir too. If this law is removed/waived in Kashmir, we can solve Kashmir problem overnight.
Yugpurush
You mean to say, we should not have this law in Kashmir too. If this law is removed/waived in Kashmir, we can solve Kashmir problem overnight.
Yugpurush
HP govt. gift to the daughter of the nation!
#8:
Yes, the law that does not allow non-natives to buy land in J&K is another stupid law that ought to go. Just that I dont think the Kashmir problem will be solved merely by allowing outsiders to buy land in J&K.
Yes, the law that does not allow non-natives to buy land in J&K is another stupid law that ought to go. Just that I dont think the Kashmir problem will be solved merely by allowing outsiders to buy land in J&K.