Congress-BJP spat in Rajya Sabha over alleged land scam in Gujarat

NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha today witnessed a spat between treasury and opposition benches when Congress leader Anand Sharma raised the issue of alleged land scam in Gujarat.

Making a Zero Hour mention, Sharma said Parliament has passed laws and there is a separate ministry to protect endangered wildlife.

"Now we have a situation...(where there is) serious violation" of laws and guidelines relating to environmental protection in Gujarat.

He said in violation of norms, 422 acre of land at a rate of Rs 15 square feet was alloted in an eco-sensitive area in Gujarat in 2010.

Ownership of land falling in wildlife sanctuaries cannot be changed, he said.

As Sharma was speaking, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi raised a point of order and said if a matter is pending in court, no member can raise the issue in the House.

He demanded a ruling from the Chair, to which Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said he would give one later.

When some BJP members including Manshukh Lal Mandaviya objected vociferously to what Sharma was saying, Congress members countered them.

As BJP members kept objecting to Sharma, Kurien said the Chair has permitted the Congress leader to raise the issue.