Himachal Pradesh government to probe land allotment to Prashant Bhushan

DHARAMSALA: Himachal Pradesh government today said it would conduct an inquiry into the alleged violation of norms in sale of a tea plantation land to social activist Prashant Bhushan two years ago.

According to the state laws, a person, who is not a resident of Himachal Pradesh cannot purchase land in the state.

HP Revenue minister Kaul Singh said: "We will investigate whether the permission granted to Bhushan has been for purchase of land only or for change of its land use too.

"If there is a violation of statutory and administrative procedures even in the transfer of land in his name, we will take action."

The previous BJP government, led by P K Dhumal had granted permission to transfer the tea estate land in Palampur in Kangra district to an education society of Bhushan and the present Congress government, then in opposition, had demanded a probe, alleging that the land laws had been circumvented in granting various permissions.

Bhushan's Kumud Bhushan Education Society was allowed to buy 4.68 hectares of land for the construction of an educational institution Feb 2, 2010.