www.expressindia.com - Weather | Horoscope | Stocks | RSS
expressindia web city
HomeBlogsCricketAstrologyShopping TendersClassifieds Opinions Jobs Hotels
Sign In / Register | Archive
Expressindia » Story

Govt not averse to taking over Mandi Raj Mahal property

Font Size

Express news service

Posted: Sep 05, 2008 at 0118 hrs IST

Shimla, September 4 The controversy shrouding sale of Raj Mahal property — a heritage estate of the erstwhile Mandi royal family, today took a new turn with Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal hinting at a possible takeover of the prime property located in the middle of Mandi town.

The property had changed hands only a few months back and reportedly involves a wealthy sitting MLA who invested his money but got a sale deed registered in the name of a cook working in a leading public school in Shimla.

The issue was raised in the House by former Congress minister Kaul Singh Thakur, who also hails from Mandi. He insisted that the Chief Minister consider his suggestion of taking over the property because of its heritage value and that the government use it.

Dhumal responded by saying, “The issue for a takeover will be considered by the government at an appropriate time as right now an inquiry is already going on into the controversial sale and evasion of stamp duty.”

Earlier, Revenue Minister Gulab Singh Thakur informed the House that an evasion of stamp duty to the tune of Rs 33 lakh had been detected in the registration of the sale deed. Three persons, including a revenue officer, who had registered the sale deed, have been arrested.

The actual value of the property was Rs 10.5 crore, but the sale deed in the name of three persons was registered only for Rs 23 lakh. However, when one of the buyers realised that he had committed a serious offence, he turned up and deposited more money. That’s how the case came to light, he added.

Earlier, on a question relating to implementation of NREGA in the state, raised by Roop Singh Thakur, Mohinder Singh and Inder Singh, all BJP MLAs, blamed the earlier Congress government for its “inability to utilise funds” sanctioned for the state.

But now, the BJP government had appointed 1,181 gram sewkas, 59 computer operators, 817 technical assistants and 42 JEs who will be helping in the effective implementation of the programme.

Krishan Kapoor, Minister for Town and Country Planning, assured Sohan Lal and Sukhwinder Sikhu of the Congress that the government would soon take a decision on the new retention policy for Shimla town and its peripheral areas.

Discuss this story on expressindia forums
Post Comments
Name* Email ID*
Subject* Country*
Message*
Characters remaining
 
TERMS OF USE: The views, opinions and comments posted are your, and are not endorsed by this website. You shall be solely responsible for the comment posted here. The website reserves the right to delete, reject, or otherwise remove any views, opinions and comments posted or part thereof. You shall ensure that the comment is not inflammatory, abusive, derogatory, defamatory &/or obscene, or contain pornographic matter and/or does not constitute hate mail, or violate privacy of any person (s) or breach confidentiality or otherwise is illegal, immoral or contrary to public policy. Nor should it contain anything infringing copyright &/or intellectual property rights of any person(s).
I agree to the terms of use.

Latest News

Business

Showbiz

Sports

SC notice to Centre on Delhi HC verdict on gay sex

China objected to ADB funds for Arunachal: Krishna to RS

Top guns to sit on AI advisory board

We know talks are important, but end violence first: India to Pak

CBI waiting in the wings as CID investigates Ranbir's 'murder'

Varun security issue: Sushma not happy with PC's briefing

Hooch Tragedy: Death toll climbs to 86, bootleggers detained

More
© 2009 The Indian Express Limited. All rights reserved
The Indian Express Group | Advertise With Us | Privacy Policy | Feedback | Work With Us | Site Map