Gujarat land row: Allegations of undue favour politically motivated, says govt

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat government today dismissed as "false and politically motivated" the allegations of "favouritism" in allotting land five years back to a private firm, which allegedly has close business links with Chief Minister Anandiben Patel's daughter Anar Patel, saying all rules were complied with.

In a statement issued here tonight, the government said the tract of land was "allotted as per rules and regulations and according to prevailing policies and procedures set by the state government".

"No favour was done to any individual or company in this regard," it added.

The government clarified that state cabinet, headed by then Chief Minister Narendra Modi, approved allotment of 9.95 lakh sqm of land at a final valuation of Rs 1.67 crore in its meeting dated July 21, 2010 after the proposal to this effect was put before the council of ministers following due procedure in 2008 and 2009.

The allotment of land to the company has kicked up a political storm with Congress demanding setting up of a Supreme Court-monitored SIT to go into all allotments of government land during the tenure of Modi as CM.

In 2010, Gujarat government is believed to have allotted 250 acres of land next to Gir Lion Sanctuary to Wildwoods Resorts and Realties Pvt Ltd for setting up a resort which was allotted at a price of Rs 15 per square metre or Rs 60,000 per acre.

The statement said that Anar did not hold any equity in any of the companies named in the controversy and that she was not a director in any of these companies.

"Thus to associate Anar Patel or any other family member of CM is completely false and baseless as well as politically motivated."

The statement detailed facts and the sequence of events while seeking to rebut allegations of nepotism.

"An MoU was signed between the company in question, Wildwoods Resorts and Realties (WWR) and the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL) for developing a wildlife resort in Dhari taluka of Amreli district near Gir lion sanctuary at an investment of Rs 80 crore.

"A recommendation was made by the Collector to allot land to the company in 2008 and the Forest Department accorded its NoC on December 14, 2009, for the resort to come up at Patla village in Amreli district."

It said the proposal was put before the state cabinet after due procedure.

"The cabinet (headed by then chief minister Narendra Modi) approved the allotment of 9.95 lakh sq mtrs land at a final valuation of Rs 1.67 crore in its meeting dated July 21, 2010," the statement said.