Gujarat govt asks Somnath Trust to return 25 hectare land

Ahmedabad, 31 October 2013

The Gujarat government has asked Shri Somnath Trust to return 25,00,000 sqm (25 ha) land for setting up headquarters of newly formed Gir-Somnath district. The state govt had given huge land to Shri Somnath Trust on 999 years lease.

The state government has in a communication asked Shri Somnath Trust that due to formation of new Gir-Somnath district, the government needs land for building district collector office(40,000 sqm), multistory building(40,000 sqm), staff quarters,parking,other facilities(40,000 sqm), gardening(20,000 sqm), district sports complex(40,000 sqm), future office of Municipal Corporation(20,000 sqm), emergency operation center(20,000 sqm), town hall(10,000 sqm) and officers club building(20,000 sqm).

The letter by Collector of Gir-Somnath district Shri CP Patel reads that after formation of a new district on 15th August, 2013, presently the collector office is functioning in Deputy Collector office of Veraval. In near future budgetary provisions will be made for infrastructural facilities. The government wants to develop a beautiful district headquarters. The details were sought for suitable land to build the backbone of new district that includes district collectorate, police and development officer offices. However government land of 25,00,000 sqm size is not available anywhere and construction of govt offices is delayed due to this. To attract district people to Somnath for govt work, so that they can also visit Shri Somnath mandir, and to creat in impression of developed area, the govt wants Shri Somnath trust to return 25,00,000 sqm(25 ha) land out of total land given to the trust on 999 years lease.

Gujarat Congress has opposed this move. Former state president of party Siddharth Patel said the letter dated 8th September 2013 exposes Gujarat govt.