IN blatant case of political vendetta, Rajasthan Government, contrary to its policy to provide land at concessional rates to newspaper establishments, has stayed the allotment of land to Pathey Kan, a highly circulated fortnightly run by RSS in the state.
More over, this was done after nearly two years of allotment of the land for which Pathey Kan management had already made the full payment under the term and condition of allotment by Jaipur Development Authority (JDA). Though the land is in the possession of the management, JDA has not given the Patta(the lease documents) to its management.
Obviously on the instructions from the government, JDA commissioner, Sudhashu Pant last week called a high level meeting which decided to stay the allotment by saying that concerned newspaper establishment has not fulfilled the criterion to get land at concessional rates. To make it sure that allotted land, never goes to the journal JDA has sought a Detailed Project Report (DPR) from the management for utilisation of the land from the Pathey Kan. After receiving the report it would review the case and if necessary would sent the case to the government for a final decision.
Way back in July 2008, when there was BJP government in the state, Pathey Kan, which has recently celebrated its Golden Jubilee, was allotted a piece of about 1500 meters of land in Malviya Nagar. As government is following the policy to give land to the newspapers at concessional rates, the management of the journal also sought the land on the same ground.
Initially the land was allotted at ten per cent of the government land rates. Subsequently the rate was enhanced to 25 per cent. As price of the land was calculated around Rs 44 lakh, management was directed to pay a partial amount of Rs 2.75 lakh to get the allotment letter. Later the entire money was deposited.
“We paid the amount and we were given a allotment letter along with the term and conditions which also included the full and final payment schedule” says Manak Chand, Managing Editor of the journal.
Reacting to the JDA’s decision, Sunil Bhargav, spokesman of state BJP, says this was nothing but a clear case of political vendetta. There are many newspaper establishments, which are beneficiaries of land allotment at concessional rates. Pathey Kan is a well established journal and fulfill all the criterion to get land at concessional price.
According to Pant, under the provision land at concessional rates to the newspaper establishment could be allotted for the purpose of putting up a press, where as Pathey Kan has sought land for setting up its office. ” So we are examining whether this land allotment comes under the norms or it was done in violation”, he said.
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