BJP disrupts Assembly over SIDCUL scam

DEHRADUN: Opposition BJP today refused to give up its demand for a CBI probe into SIDCUL land deals disrupting proceedings of the Assembly for the third consecutive day of its ongoing Budget session, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the House twice during the day.


As soon as the Speaker assumed his chair, BJP members led by Leader of Opposition Ajay Bhatt were on their feet insisting on a CBI probe into what they called a massive land scam in SIDCUL.

"After all, why is the government shying away from a CBI probe into SIDCUL land scam?" Bhatt asked.

Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said the opposition is levelling an unfounded allegation as there is no scam in SIDCUL.

"Total transparency was maintained in SIDCUL land deals. Proper tenders were floated and the lands were allocated to the highest bidder. No real estate firms or builders were favoured in the process as alleged by the Opposition," Bahuguna said.

He also clarified that no builder to whom the lands were sold has so far sold off any of the lands to make profits.

But the BJP MLAs did not give up their insistence on a CBI probe into the deals saying they were struck to favour certain real estate firms including Supertech, Noida.

"If there is nothing wrong in the SIDCUL land deals why is the state government shying away from a probe?" Bhatt asked. He was joined by former chief minister Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank who demanded an elaborate explanation from the government on the issue, plunging the House into din which led to its adjournment for half an hour which was later extended for another half an hour.