launching a broadside against the State Government on the issue of land allocation to Pushp Steel, former Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel demanded resignation of the Chief Minister for his alleged role in the corruption case.
Addressing a press conference at Congress Bhawan Thursday, Baghel alleged that in its order the Delhi High Court has asked the Government to give 354 hectares out of the total land allotted to Pushp Steel to Saraogi Steel while the issue of remaining land would be reviewed. The decision clearly showed that the State Government had allotted land to Pushp Steel in violation of the law, he alleged.
Baghel said that the Delhi High Court delivered its judgment on April 5 this year in which it said that on the basis of State Government’s letter dated 5 May 2005, the Central Government on 19 October 2005 told the court that many steps have been taken by the State Government for setting up of plant by Pushp Steel. In its letter dated 5 May 2005 the State Government also told the Centre that it had decided to give mining lease of 215 hectares to Pushp Steel. Along with this it also decided to give prospecting licence of 703.33 hectares to Pushp Steel And Mining limited.
The company reportedly signed an MoU with the State Government in which it allegedly promised to invest Rs380 crore in the project. The company was allotted land by Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation (CSIDC) at Borai in Durg district after which it also informed the Centre that establishment of project by the company was in progress.
The former Minister claimed that from the order of the court it was starkly clear that no serious effort was made by the company towards establishing the project alleging that many companies had applied for prospecting lease (Pl) but the State Government awarded the same to Pushp Steel after rejecting the offers of others.
Notably, the double bench of the High Court in its order asked the State Government to give 354 hectares of land to Saraogi Steel and review the issue of remaining land allotted to Pushp Steel.
Court has asked for review: Mining Dept
On the issue of Delhi High Court’s order in Pushp Steel case, mining department officials on the condition of anonymity said that the court has asked to reconsider giving lease of some land of the Pushp Steel to Saraogi Steel and to review the issue of remaining land given to the company. The department official however cleared that neither Prospecting lease (Pl) nor Mining lease (Ml) has been given to Pushp Steel so far.