As Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal assumed his chair on Thursday, Opposition members led by leader of Opposition Ajay Bhatt rose from their seats alleging a Rs 1,000 crore scam in SIIDCUl land transactions in Haridwar and Pantnagar to benefit real estate firms. Demanding a CBI probe into this, they also gave a notice to debate the issue under section 310.
The Uttarakhand Assembly was adjourned twice after the Opposition created an uproar in the House for the fifth consecutive day refusing to give up its demand for a CBI probe into the alleged SIIDCUl land scam. Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna asked Bhatt to get a party which can purchase the piece of land for Rs 250 crore then state would cancel the allotment. Earlier, the CM had fixed the land price at Rs 400 crore and later reduced it to Rs 300 crore on Tuesday and on Thursday to Rs 250 crore only.
Shouting anti-Government slogans they demanded a CBI probe into the alleged scam, saying the State Government was running away from an inquiry as it was aware of the scam in the corporation and was afraid of being exposed. They said they will not stay content with anything less than a CBI probe into the land deals which they alleged were done to benefit the land mafia and real estate firms.
When the Speaker's repeated efforts to order the House went in vain, he adjourned it till 12.30 pm. As the House reassembled at 12.30 pm, BJP members led by Bhatt rushed into the well insisting on a CBI inquiry into the scam prompting the Speaker to adjourn it once again till 4 pm.
Since beginning of Budget session on March 14, Vidhan Sabha witnessed regular disruptions by BJP MlAs over SIIDCUl land scam issue. The Opposition alleged that neither treasury bench nor speaker tried to find out solution. Meanwhile, Bahuguna, who spoke to media persons during adjournment in his office, said that Opposition has breached tradition by boycotting the Speaker's dinner, which happens after presentation of budget every year. It means they don't want to maintain the decorum of the Vidhan Sabha. Even in Mahabharata both sides used to enjoy their evening, but BJP did not bother to attend the dinner. By doing this, they have shown disdain to the chair of Speaker, which is the supreme authority of Vidhan Sabha.
As far as opposition's behaviour is concerned then they have diluted the image of Vidhan Sabha and legislators as well. They had gone to High Court against the Bhati commission but in SIIDCUl land scam case they are drumming inside the Assembly only because they don't have facts. If the State cancels the allotment, which happened after following all official procedures, then no one would come here for investment.
"It is unfortunate that precious time of the Assembly was wasted by the Opposition. It should have utilised this time to raise issues of public interest in the House," the CM said, adding that the Opposition is running away from its responsibility.
later, Bhatt challenged that CM Bahuguna made comment inside the House that Opposition should come along with facts and figure. To ascertain their claim he also circulated two-page document downloaded from Supertech official website, among media persons showing that companies has quoted the price of around Rs 33,000 per square yard land.